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SOUL SAVING 



REVIVAL SERMONS 



BY 

JOHN L. BRANDT, LL. D 

Author of "Turning Points in Life," 
"Marriage and Home/' "America or 
Rome/' "The Lord's Supper/' etc. 



The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. 
—Luke 19:10. 



Tme Christian Publishing Co. 
St. Louis, Mo. 



(A 



LIBRARY of CONSRESSj 

Two Copies Rsceivec 

DEC 26 i 90? 

I G&pyrifffii entry 
<CLASSA XXc, NO. | 

COPY 6. 



BV37?/ 



Copyright, 1907, 

By 

John L. Brandt, 

St. Louis, Mo. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Soul Saving 1 7 

Doing Our Best _ 23 

God in the World 41 

No Other Name 59 

The Face of Jesus ___ 77 

Christ Before Pilate- 93 

Have We Been Deceived?—— 115 

Christ Seeking the Lost 139 

God Calling to Man 157 

Christ at the Door 171 

Sin Will Find You Out 187 

Daniel Before Belshazzar 201 

The Choice of Moses 219 

Not Ashamed of the Gospel 237 

A Precious Invitation 251 

The Resurrection of Christ 267 

In the Days of Thy Youth 291 

The Rejected and Accepted Savior 307 

Ringing the Bells of Heaven 321 



PREFACE 



This volume of sermons is issued in compliance with 
a request made by many of my ministerial brethren 
and co-laborers in the Master's vineyard. 

Some revival sermons are confined to First Prin- 
ciples; some are designed to advocate and defend de- 
nominational tenets, and some are designed to work 
upon the feelings of the audience, and therefore, con- 
sist largely of records and stories of pathetic conver- 
sions, pitiful accidents, and heart-rending death-bed 
scenes. Such sermons may have their place in the 
preacher's library, and be of service to him in his 
ministry, but this volume of sermons is designed to 
occupy a different field and to serve a different pur- 
pose. Its purpose is two- fold: to encourage and 
inspire Christians to engage with all their hearts in 
the Divine mission of soul-saving, and to persuade 
the unsaved to accept Christ as the Son of God and 
the Savior of man. With this in view, it addresses 
itself to the head and the heart, and to the will and 
the conscience of man. With this in view, it aims to 
deliver the Gospel message in tenderness, simplicity 
and love. 

These sermons, delivered from the pulpit, have been 
instrumental in making thousands of converts to the 



Lord, and in publishing them it is my heart's desire 
and prayer that they will arouse and help the Chris- 
tians who read them to do all in their power to serve 
as Jesus served, to love as Jesus loved, and to save 
as Jesus saved. If the message comes to the lost man 
it will have but one object in view, and that is the 
salvation of his precious soul. In their preparation, 
I am indebted for valuable suggestions: to the evan- 
gelists and preachers whom I have heard, with whom 
I have labored, and after whom I have read, but 
above all, to the word of God and to my dear Lord 
and Redeemer, who has blessed me more abundantly 
than I have asked, deserved, or hoped. 



SOUL SAVING 

He Winneth Souls That is Wise. — Prov. 1 1 :30. 

Every church has its problems, such as perfecting 
its organization, reaching the masses, discharging its 
financial obligations, and supporting its missions, but 
its supreme purpose should be the saving of souls. All 
else should be subordinate to this important work. It 
is sometimes called the conversion of sinners and the 
edification of saints; and sometimes, the work of the 
Lord, but it is soul saving. For this purpose Jesus 
came from heaven. He came to seek and to save the 
lost ; this led Him to suffer and to die ; with this pur- 
pose in view he founded the church; for this purpose 
the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven; this was the 
divinely appointed mission of the apostles; to save 
souls was the inspiration of the life and labors of the 
Apostle Paul; this inspired Savonarola to thunder 
against the sins of Florence; this inspired Munson to 
risk his life amongst the cannibals ; this kept Carey in 
India; this upheld Morrison in China; this sustained 
Moffett in Africa; this inspired Payton in his work 
amongst the New Hebrides; this has been the dom- 
inant purpose and lofty inspiration of martyrs, mis- 
sionaries, preachers and evangelists during the history 



8 SOUL SAVING 

of the church. Every Christian is saved to save some- 
one else. If he has not been engaged in this business 
he has missed his calling. 

The supreme need of the Church today is soul 
saving. Some think the greatest need is a pipe-organ ; 
a better choir; a better building or a better preacher, 
but the greatest need is a passion to save souls. Only 
one-fourth of our population are professed Christians. 
Think of the men and women every day going down 
to ruin ! Think of the millions in the gall of bitterness 
and the bonds of iniquity ! Think of the terrible evils 
of intemperance ! Think of the dishonesty in business ! 
Think of the deceit in society! Think of the wicked- 
ness in high places ! Think of the dogmas and tradi- 
tions of men that have been substituted for the word 
of God ! Think of the indifference and negligence on 
the part of the professed followers of Christ! Think 
of the majority of the inhabitants of the world on the 
broad road to destruction who must be turned back to 
God ; back from the powers of darkness to the light of 
heaven; back from the error of their ways to Christ's 
way. 

James tells us he that converts a sinner from the 
error of his way, saves a soul from death, and covers 
a multitude of sins. John records how Andrew found 
his brother Peter and brought him to Jesus. Our 
Master told the healed demoniac to go back to his 
home and tell his friends what great things the Lord 
had done for him. The whole purport of the New 
Testament Scripture is to convert the world to Christ 



SOUL SAVING 9 

by saving the souls of the individuals through the ap- 
pointed means of grace. This is the most important 
work of the church. Some Christians act as if the 
most important work was self culture or pecuniary 
gain or worldly pleasure or the praises of men. Not 
so; soul saving should take first rank. It is of more 
importance than the propagation of dogmas, theologi- 
cal discussions and sectarian tenets. It is more im- 
portant than the accumulation of wealth, the obtaining 
of an education, and the broadening of influence and 
power. 

Soul winners are needed not only in the pulpit, but 
in the home, store, shop, factory, office, bank and upon 
the farm and in the street. The church of God that 
loves most and does the greatest amount of good is 
the soul winning church. The church that has the best 
prospects for future usefulness is the soul-winning 
church. Hundreds of churches have been blotted out 
of existence because they forgot their heavenly mis- 
sion. Many are falling behind in the race for glory 
because they are no longer engaged in soul saving. 
The churches at Thyatyra, Corinth, and Laodecia were 
long ago blotted out because they ceased to save 
souls. As long as the church is engaged in this busi- 
ness it will continue to live for the glory of God. I 
read of a sentinel who slept at his post of duty when 
he should have been on the watch, and for his negli- 
gence was tried and condemned to be shot, and I 
thought, what would be the result if God should treat 
his negligent watchmen in such a manner? Many of 



10 SOUL SAVING 

God's sentinels have fallen asleep at their posts of duty 
while the enemy has been making headway and de- 
stroying precious souls. How many wives have been 
negligent in winning their husbands to Christ? I was 
present not long since when an unsaved man went 
down to death with the question on his lips, "Wife, 
why did you not say or do more to save my poor 
soul?" Many parents are asleep while their children 
are living in sin. I heard of a man in California who 
went in company with his little boy to pick some wild 
flowers, and the father, becoming weary, fell asleep 
and while he slept the little fellow in search of flowers 
fell over a high precipice to death below. Oh, that 
parents would awake to the necessity of saving their 
children ! 

Poor famished Hager drank of the water and was 
saved, and she took of the same water and gave it to 
Ishmael that he, too, might live. Would to God 
that parents would take of the water of eternal life 
that has slaked their thirst for pardon and give to their 
children whose souls are famishing for the waters 
that bubble up from the fountain of slavation! 

It is a great thing to win a man from a bad habit 
to a good one; to win an enemy and make him a 
friend ; to win the ear of the ignorant and instruct it ; 
to win a wayward child and make him obedient; but 
inf'nitely greater is the winning of a soul to Christ. 
The soul is to be won not to a creed or tradition ; not 
to an opinion or religious experience, but to our 
blessed Savior. It must be won to have faith in him, 



SOUL SAVING 11 

to love him, to confess him, to repent toward him, 
to obey him ; to be a partaker of his nature, to worship 
him, to profess him before men, to live the life that he 
lived and to confide and hope in his promises. 

The requirements and qualifications of soul winning 
are within the reach of all. 

Wisdom- is needed. Wisdom wins many things ; 
influence, position, power, wealth, friends, knowledge, 
culture; but the greatest achievement of wisdom is 
the winning of souls. Wisdom is needed to detect the 
needs of men, and the adaptation of the gospel to their 
various walks in life. Wisdom is needed that the soul 
winner may be tactful as well as sincere in approach- 
ing, teaching and persuading men. Words fittingly 
spoken are like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 
Paul was all things to all men that he might save 
some. He talked to the Jews as a Jew. In Athens 
he quoted the Grecian poets. To the Romans he made 
known his citizenship. He was wise in the sacred art 
of soul winning. Yes, great wisdom is needed be- 
cause Satan and his allies are opposed to soul saving. 
Wisdom is needed to contend with spiritual wicked- 
ness in high places. Wisdom is needed to win from 
the sinful attractions of the world. Wisdom is needed 
to preach the gospel in all of its power and adaptation 
to men. Seek this wisdom by the study of God's 
word. Seek it from God from whom it cometh down. 
Seek it in prayer. It is sweet and gentle — easy to be 
entreated. Covet it that you may be equipped for 
the work of soul winning. 



12 SOUL SAVING 

Another qualification of soul winning is the as- 
surance of personal salvation. The Master's servant 
must get his heart right with God. Nothing convicts 
like conviction. Faith produces faith. To pull a 
drowning man out of the water, one must have a 
sure footing. Jesus said to Peter, "When thou art 
converted, strengthen thy brethren." The one who 
would bring others to Christ must turn away from 
sin and selfishness and yield the whole heart to Christ. 
No man can be an eminent success in soul-winning 
unless he is a thoroughly converted person. He must 
have a close walk with God. He must possess a faith 
that enables him to meet God in Nature, in History 
and in Grace. He must live in the consciousness that 
God is in him. When he thus feels the touch of God 
he will soon cast the plague out of his own heart, be- 
come revived in soul, bemoan the indifference and sin 
among the members, and will set himself to work to 
make the flock see and feel as he sees and feels. 
Without this fire in the heart there will be no kindling 
of the fire in the pulpit and in the pew. 

The soul winner must set a godly example. Some 
professed Christians drive people away from Christ 
instead of drawing them to him. Sometimes this is 
done by such a total indifference to Christ that no 
one suspects the man or woman to be a member of 
Christ's body. Sometimes it is done by ungodly con- 
versation and sometimes by disreputable business 
methods; sometimes by covetousness and avaricious- 
ness; sometimes by social pride and strife. Again 



SOUL SAVING 13 

and again it has been said, "Is such a person a Chris- 
tian? I wonder if the church knows what kind of a 
man he is in business, or the kind of a woman she 
is in society ?" To save souls a Christian must be 
right in heart and life. The house of God must 
cleanse itself. The influence of the Christian known 
to be pure in life, honest in business, and to have a 
daily walk with God is beyond measure. His face is 
like the face of an angel; his handshake is inspiring; 
his life is uplifting. In business he makes other people 
honest. In the home he makes the other inmates 
happy. In society he makes the members pure. Have 
you not heard of the little child who started to school 
with a dirty face but was taught the first day to wash 
the face and hands, and on returning to the home so 
impressed the mother, father and other children that 
they also washed their faces and hands, and it was 
such a happy change for the better that the neighbors 
who saw them began to follow their example until 
the whole community was cleansed. 

This story illustrates the great truth that if we 
would have the world washed of its pollution we must 
first cleanse the house of God. The greatest power 
on earth for God is a consistent Christian life. You 
have seen beautifully illustrated Bibles, but the best 
illustration of the Bible is its precepts, lived in the lives 
of men and women. Forgiveness is beautiful to read 
about, but it is more beautiful in practice. The life of 
the Christian should be in such harmony with God that 
he could cry out with David, "Oh Lord ! give ear unto 



14 SOUL SAVING 

my prayer that goeth forth out of unfeigned 
lips." 

A master passion to save souls is needed. If we 
possess no love of souls we shall be powerless to save 
them. We may have a knowledge of men and know 
how to approach them, but if we lack in love our 
efforts will be mechanical. If we love men fervently 
we can do almost anything with them. A divine com- 
passion in our hearts will be manifest in our lives. We 
will then be patient with infirmities, and possess a 
sympathy that all will appreciate. We learn this love 
of souls from Christ. Jesus came to seek and to save 
that which is lost. When He saw the multitude he 
had compassion on them; when he met the leper, a 
type of sin, he had compassion on him; when the 
widow's son lay on the bier he had compassion on 
the poor mother whose crushed heart was a type of 
all sorrow; when he saw the fallen woman he had 
compassion on her and forgave her and told her to 
go and sin no more. If we would dwell in thought 
long enough upon the peril of any man out of Christ 
and the worth of his soul in the sight of God we 
would possess an intense desire for that man's salva- 
tion. This kind of love will never fail. It will give, 
suffer, endure, and plead until victory comes. Elo- 
quent tongues, shrewd schemes, plausible methods, and 
elaborate plans may fail, but the dynamics of love will 
win souls. It was this master passion that constrained 
Christ to go from province to province, and from city 
to city, and finally to give himself a ransom for all. 



SOUL SAVING IS 

The early disciples caught this divine passion. The 
Samaritan woman carried the glad tidings to the peo- 
ple of Samaria. The great passion of Paul's life was 
to win souls. He says, "My heart's desire and prayer to 
God for Israel is that they might be saved." We should 
hear the cry of the lost saying, "No man careth for my 
soul;" the cry of the fallen saying, "God, be merci- 
ful to me a sinner;" the cry of Ishmael for the water 
of life; the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help 
us;" the jailer's cry, "What shall I do to be saved?" 
We need a conviction upon this subject such as Baxter 
had, who said, "I wonder that I do not preach with 
tears and descend from my pulpit, almost taking the 
unsaved in my arms, and bearing them to Christ. I 
wonder that I can sleep when I go to my home and 
think of the unsaved into whose faces I have looked." 
We need an engrossment upon this subject, such as 
Brainard had, who said, "I care not where or how 
I live or what hardships I endure, so I could but gain 
souls to Christ." We need a singleness of purpose 
upon this subject such as Brown of Haddington had, 
who exhorted his fellow laborers to make the aim of 
every sermon to win souls to Christ. Our labors 
should not be so much to produce able discourses and 
wax eloquent over reformatory measures as to save 
souls. This was the burden of Paul's preaching; this 
the aim of the ministry of the great Spurgeon and the 
saintly Moody, and this will be the chief est concern as 
we near the close of our ministry. 

A conviction as to the value of the soul will inspire 



16 SOUL SAVING 

to soul saving. "What shall it profit a man if he gain 
the whole world and lose his own soul? What will a 
man give in exchange for his soul?" Who can esti- 
mate the worth of the soul — created in the image of 
God, with boundless capacities, with unbounded influ- 
ence, capable of eternal progress and enduring life. 
A soul that cost the blood of Christ for its redemption. 
Think of this priceless gem exposed to the wrath to 
come ! Think of it being without Christ in this world ; 
without pardon and peace ; without hope of heaven ! 
Think of it under condemnation for not believing in 
the only begotton Son of God! Think of it being 
punished with an everlasting destruction from the 
presence of the Lord and the glory of his power ! 

With such thoughts surely the soul winner will have 
a tender solicitude to win men to Christ, and to have 
them enjoy the blessings of salvation and to walk in 
the pathway that shineth brighter and brigther unto 
the perfect day. 

The soul winner must have a working knowledge of 
the word of God. It is the sword of the Spirit. It is 
the instrument God uses to reveal Christ, convict of 
sin, and regenerate men. The law of the Lord is 
perfect, converting the soul. We are born by it ; we 
are cleansed by it. It should dwell richly in us. Others 
may relegate it to the parlor table as an ornament or 
the mantel shelf as a dust collector, but the man who 
would win souls to Christ must use it to supply the 
knowledge of the hidden things of the soul, to learn 
about the Gospel of Christ, and the ways of eternal 



SOUL SAVING 17 

life. Right acquaintance with it is necessary. Igno- 
rance is dangerous. There are not a few ministers 
who are so ignorant of the Scriptures as to be like 
the disciples of John at Ephesus, who had not so much 
as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost. Many souls 
have been lost through failure to be instructed in the 
correct plan of salvation. I have often been amazed 
at the power of a quotation from the Scriptures to 
silence a skeptic, to reclaim a wanderer, to encourage 
a timid inquirer, to convict a sinner, to comfort a 
sorrowing heart, and to send a ray of light to an 
anxious soul. If the minister would win souls to 
Christ, he must know how to use the Bible and teach 
others how to use it. 

Prayer is needed to turn people to righteousness 
and to save souls. The word of God teaches the 
efficacy of prayer. The effectual, fervent prayer of a 
righteous man availeth much. Whatsoever ye ask be- 
lievingly ye shall receive. Whatsover ye ask in my 
name ye will receive. God promises to hear before we 
call on him. You may not understand all about 
prayer, but there is power in it. You may not under- 
stand all about telegraphy, but you know it carries 
your message across the continent and around the 
world. A mother's prayer can travel faster than her 
wandering boy. It pleases God to hear the petitions 
of his children and he has promised to answer the cry 
of his darlings. The answer to prayer travels faster 
than electricity and it is more powerful than all the 
hosts of darkness. Believing prayer will bring success 



18 SOUL SAVING 

to the efforts of the soul saver. It will give free course 
to the word and glorify God. Many of the greatest 
and most successful meetings ever held began in the 
heart of some burdened soul that poured forth petition 
after petition to God in private. God must be touched 
in prayer before we can touch our fellow men. We 
can ofttimes do more on our knees than on our feet. 
The spirit of the revival is the spirit of prayer. If the 
heart is poured out to God in prayer-* something will 
be done. Preachers are often weak in the pulpit be- 
cause they are weak in prayer. Edward Payson said, 
" Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, and the 
third thing in revivals." The great Finney took a 
man with him to remain in the room and pray while 
he preached. The revival in New York City in 1857 
was begun by a man oppressed in spirit over the moral 
desolation of the city and who began to pray for 
relief. Prayer was a mighty power in the great Welsh 
revival. If the minister does not wrestle with God in 
prayer, the laity will be lacking in prayer and one of 
the most efficient helps in the revival will be lacking. 
Pray for souls and you will have them. 

Would you turn souls from Satan to Christ ? Famil- 
iarize yourself with the precious invitations of Jesus. 
Hear them: "Him that cometh unto me I will in no 
wise cast out." "Come unto me all ye that labor and 
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my 
yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy 
and my burden is light." "If any man thirst let him 
come unto me and drink." "And the Spirit and the 



SOUL SAVING 19 

Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. 
And let him that is athirst come ; and whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life freely." There is not 
a soul on earth that may not be brought to God if 
approached in the right way. Gibraltar is a great fort, 
and it was claimed that it could never be taken. It 
was defended by artillery and fleets that poured forth 
their volleys of death, but England took it, and so the 
hardest hearted sinner may be captured by the be- 
seiging cannon of the consecrated soul winners. It is 
an easy thing to speak the kind word, to give a wel- 
come invitation, and if necessary to go into the high- 
ways and byways and persuade the people to come to 
the Lord. When men go fishing they do not expect 
the fish to come up on land to be caught, but they 
go to the rivers, lakes and oceans and cast out the net 
for the fish. The best fish sometimes require the 
greatest care and skill and are found in the most dif- 
ficult places. To find them you have to travel up the 
creeks, over the hills and mountains, and so, soul- 
winners, you must go into the highways and byways, 
amongst the hedges and thorns, the woods and valleys 
to find the sinners and bring them to Jesus. Cast down 
your net ; it will not return empty. Proclaim the word ; 
it will not come back void. Co-operate heartily with 
others engaged in the same work for "they that sow 
and they that reap shall rejoice together." 

Every Christian should be a soul winner. This is 
his duty. No matter how profound in learning, no 
matter how broad in culture, no matter how experi- 



20 SOUL SAVING 

enced in travel, no matter how eloquent in speech, his 
greatest power should be to win souls, and to inspire 
others to do the same. Parents should be soul win- 
ners. Every parent that has a deep and abiding love 
for his child should seek above all else to win him to 
Christ. Teachers and guardians should look upon soul 
salvation as of the first importance. Children should 
be soul winners. "A little child shall lead them." 
Many a parent has been brought to Christ through the 
effort and example of his child. Every Christian 
should feel the responsibility of being a soul winner. 
Politicians make a personal canvass for votes for the 
benefit of their party. Wholesale establishments send 
their representatives into all sections of the country to 
make a personal solicitation for customers. One Chris- 
tian fired with the necessity of soul winning will 
enthuse a whole church with his inspiration. God has 
given to every man his work. If a man is scripturally 
converted he looks for his neighbor to bring him to 
Christ. The number of soul winners in a church de- 
pends on the size of its membership. A church with 
five hundred members should have five hundred soul 
winners. Every member should consider it his duty 
to search the highways and the byways till he finds 
the "lost coin." Christ speaks to us as Joseph spake to 
his brethren, "Ye cannot see my face except your 
brother be with you." 

The Soul Winner's reward and blessing for the won. 
He is blessed by having his sins forgiven and has 
the hope of everlasting life. He has the favor of 



SOUL SAVING 21 

God and the comforting power of the Spirit of God. 
After the Ethiopian treasurer accepted Christ he went 
on his way rejoicing. The Phillippian jailer was ex- 
ceedingly glad that he and his household believed in 
God. The saved soul has reason to rejoice that he 
has found the path of peace and is in the way that 
leads to eternal glory. It is a blessing to the church. 
He that winneth souls awakeneth souls already won. 
The zeal of one soul winner will excite soul winning in 
others. It will settle church difficulties and promote 
the peace and prosperity of Zion. Amongst the souls 
that are won there may be a prince in Israel ; a Crom- 
well to dissolve a parliament; a Beethoven to write 
sweet music; a John Howard to introduce prison re- 
form ; an Oberlin to educate the poor ; a Cooper to 
.endow an institution ; a David to write poetry, or a 
Solomon to build a temple. It is a blessing for the 
soul winner. It keeps his soul in good health, in- 
creases his faith, inflames his love and promotes his 
holiness. The church becomes more precious to him, 
Christ more real, and the hope of the resurrection 
more earnestly to be desired. He finds great joy jn 
the hope of meeting those whom he won to Christ 
in that better country, for what is our joy and our 
hope but for them to be in the presence of Christ at 
his coming? Fellowship here and hereafter, Sons of 
God on earth and saints made perfect in heaven. 
"They that are wise shall shine as the firmament, and 
they that turn many to righteousness as the stars 
forever and ever." What an exalted position! The 



22 SOUL SAVING 

soul winner shining as stars in their different magni- 
tudes; shining in clusters and constellations; shining 
in the light of heaven ; shining in the diversity of glory, 
and shining forever and ever. In his presence is the 
fullness of joy and at his right hand there are pleas- 
ures forever more. Now is the opportunity. Souls 
are waiting to be saved. Souls are perishing; to the 
rescue ! Souls are lost ; to the rescue ! Souls are cry- 
ing for help ; to the rescue ! Souls without Christ ; to 
the rescue ! The harvest is ripe ; put ye in the sickle 
that ye may bring the precious sheaves to the Lord. 



DOING OUR BEST 

She Hath Done What She Could.— Mark 14 :8. 

Jesus spoke these words in defense of Mary who 
had anointed him with the oil of Nard. He had spent 
the day in Jerusalem in the heat of political discussion 
but would not trust himself in the great metropolis 
at night. He withdrew from the city to Bethany 
where he could spend the evening in peaceful conver- 
sation and the night in undisturbed repose. 

The incident to which the text refers took place in 
the house of Simon, whom Jesus had probably healed 
of the leprosy. There were also present Lazarus, 
whom Jesus had raised from the dead ; Martha, the 
busy, bustling housekeeper, and Mary, who loved to sit 
at the feet of Jesus and hear his words, and those 
whom Jesus had called to be apostles. Jesus was re- 
clining at the table and Mary came in quietly, opened 
the flask, and poured the ointment on his head and the 
odor filled all the house in which the little company 
had gathered. Judas criticized her, saying, "Why was 
this waste of ointment? It might have been sold for 
three hundred denarii and given to the poor." But 
Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why trouble ye her ? She 
has wrought a good work upon me. The poor ye have 
with you always and whensover ye will ye may do 



24 SOUL SAVING 

them good. She hath done what she could. She has 
come a forehand to anoint my body unto the burial." 

This was an ingenious act of Mary's: It was in 
obedience to no command; it was following no cus- 
tom ; it was imitating no example ; it was her own 
device. She loved Jesus and discovered a new way of 
honoring him. Happy the Christian who anticipates 
the wishes of Christ and institutes new and effective 
ways of serving him and who on seeing a work to be 
done, does it without being told. 

This was a timely act of Mary's : She came afore- 
hand to anoint his body. She did not wait until after 
his death. It is customary to strew flowers upon the 
coffin of the dead. How much better to give, expres- 
sion to our love and to manifest it by words and deeds 
of kindness before the cold hand of death removes the 
objects of affection to where it is impossible for them 
to appreciate gratitude and love ! 

It was a generous act: The oil was of great value. 
It was worth about sixty dollars in our money, which, 
at that time, had a purchasing power of about six 
hundred dollars and, therefore, it must have been very 
precious in the eyes of Mary. Had it come from some 
king or official we would not have thought so much 
about it, and perhaps there would have been no criti- 
cism ; but it came from Mary and was all that she had. 
She gave her best. She had the means and will to 
gratify the instincts of her love. Happy the Christian 
who gives so generously to the extension of the King- 
dom of Christ as to merit the reward of Mary ! 



DOING OUR BEST 25 

It was a public act: She was not ashamed to con- 
fess Christ publicly. The act was not done in a cor- 
ner, but before her friends and the apostles of Jesus. 
She cared not who saw her. She loved the Lord and 
was outspoken in her expression of that love. Happy 
the Christian who is not ashamed to confess Jesus 
before men ! Such He will confess before his Father 
in heaven. 

It was an act of love : There must have been many 
mingled feelings that prompted this beautiful offering. 
Gratitude for the raising of Lazarus ; adoration of the 
character of Jesus ; recognition of him as the Way, 
the Truth, and the Life; the worship of him as the 
Lord of Life and Death. But the foremost motive 
must have been an expression of her love and desire 
to honor One about to die. She divined his teachings 
more deeply than his apostles. It was a pure, unself- 
ish, unadulterated love. It was a devout soul respond- 
ing to its Savior. Martyrs and missionaries have felt 
this power. Every Christian who thus loves Jesus 
and has a passion to serve him can find no gift that 
will fully express his deep sense of worship and love. 

This act of devotion was done regardless of criti- 
cism : She did it without fear or favor. She cared 
not who saw her and she cared less for what they said 
about her. There are many Christians who refuse to 
engage in work of the Lord and to give any expression 
of their devotion to him for fear of criticism and ridi- 
cule. The official, carping Judas viewed everything 
in a financial light. Many people of today are like 



26 SOUL SAVING 

him — always ready to criticize and say, "Why this 
waste; a useless expenditure of money — no good will 
come of it." Let all those who stand idly by through 
fear of criticism emulate the example of Mary — noble, 
fearless Mary! Who dares call her unselfishness ex- 
travagance? Who dares to speak of her devotion as 
waste? Jesus places the act above alms-giving to the 
poor. Was it waste for Winkelried to pour the oil 
of Nard of his precious life upon the Austrian spears 
to make way for liberty for Switzerland? Was it 
waste for the patriotic Warren to break the alabaster 
casket of his precious life at Bunker Hill for his be- 
loved country? Was it waste for Livingstone to pour 
out his precious life upon the hard and woolly head 
of Ham? Was it waste for the beloved Wharton to 
give his life that the light of heaven might shine in the 
dark places of darkest India? Was it waste, Oh 
Gracious Father, when thou didst send the Pearl of 
Great Price to shed his blood that precious souls might 
live? Had Mary withheld this expression of her love 
and worship she might well have been criticized. To 
withhold the best in the service of our Master is waste. 
The statesman who gives not his best counsel to his 
country is unworthy of her. The general who does 
not lay his best plans and break the alabaster box 
of ointment upon the altar of his country is a traitor. 
The teacher who does not bring forth all the treasures 
of his wisdom and experience to anoint the brains and 
hearts of his disciples is unworthy of the name. The 
mechanic who does not lay all his skill upon the altar 



DOING OUR BEST 27 

of his work is unworthy employment. The minister 
who is not ready to preach as much as lieth in him is 
unworthy his calling. Whoever serves should serve 
to the highest capacity; whoever gives should give to 
the largest liberality. One that will not deny himself 
and take up the cross falls far behind the Master's 
example. When the call of duty comes there should 
be a ready and willing response regardless of what 
people may say. Over a vestibule of a building stand- 
ing in one of the Southern states is inscribed, "What 
Will People Say?" and over the entrance to the audi- 
torium the words "Let Them Say." The world's 
greatest heroes have been sharply criticized. Do your 
duty. Heed the Lord's command; engage with all 
your heart in the work of saving souls ; break your 
alabaster box of ointment in honor of Jesus, and if 
people criticize remember the example of Mary; re- 
member the commendation of Jesus ; remember that 
the Lord said, "Blessed are ye when men shall say 
all manner of evil against you." 

Some disciples ask to be excused from active service 
in the Master's vineyard because they can do so little. 
Their plea is, "My station restricts me;" "My weak- 
ness disables me;" "My obscurity embarrasses me;" 
"My timidity unnerves me, and my talents are so lim- 
ited." "If I could convert the Scribes and Pharisees ; 
if I could turn a city to the Lord; if I could plant a 
church, endow a college, support an orphanage, then it 
would be worth while and I would engage in the 
service with a commendable zeal and enthusiasm." 



28 SOUL SAVING 

But we learn from this Scripture that there is no 
station in life, however obscure ; no condition, however 
humble; but something may be done for the Lord. 
Mary was not to be judged by any showy enterprise, 
by public charities or literary fame; by any perform- 
ance that might be marked out for its pre-eminence ; 
but on the ground that she had done what she could. 
It was not a great act in comparison with the achieve- 
ment of a Barak or an Esther; a Joan of Arc or an 
Elizabeth Browning; a Frances Willard or a Mary 
Livermore; but it was the best she could do. One 
penny's worth, if it is the limit of self-denial, is as 
good as ten thousand pounds. Jesus so recognized 
it in what he said of the two mites the widow cast into 
the treasury, which was more than they which gave 
of all their abundance, because she gave all that she 
had; and yet of another woman, poorer and frailer 
still, who gave only tears and caresses for his feet. 
Jesus recognized the disposition and ability of the 
giver. He made no distinction as to weights and meas- 
ures, tables of value, public achievement and standards 
of honor as acknowledged by men. Christ is the judge. 
His declaration is, "Not everyone that saith unto me, 
'Lord, Lord,' but he that doeth the will of my Father 
in heaven." 

Mary could not write like the beloved apostle, John , 
she could not tear down the strongholds of Satan, like 
the Apostle Peter; she could not plant churches, like 
Paul ; but in her humble station, she did her best, and 
that is what timid women, reserved servants, shut-in 



DOING OUR BEST 29 

invalids, poverty-stricken and humble men and women 
may do the world over. Mary did her best. Every 
one can do this. If this be done, then despondency 
ought to be dismissed and the humble disciple count 
himself committed to Christ as one who has done his 
best. God is present in small opportunities and activi- 
ties as well as where power is great, talents many, and 
opportunities unlimited. 

This sentence contains enough to encourage, inspire, 
and command the greatest talent. Great talent means 
a great responsibility. To be a "Chosen One" of 
Israel is to be held accountable for extensive service. 
Did Elizabeth Fry and Hannah Moore, and Alice and 
Phoebe Cary in their service reach beyond the average 
woman? If so, they did only their duty. They did 
what they could. The command for the king upon 
his throne is to do his best; the president in the 
White House, the statesman in the Hall of Congress, 
the teacher at his desk, the minister in his pulpit, and 
the commanding genius in the work of reform, must 
give to the Lord the alabaster box of their talents, 
be their numbers five, ten, twenty, or a hundred. 

Some ask to be excused from active service on 
the ground of injury to their social standing. Some 
belong to clannish circles and do not believe in conde- 
scending to men of low estate or to a service they 
consider beneath their dignity. They claim to belong 
to a certain class, and are not required to go beyond 
that circle. They will not break down the social lines. 
They think to retain their own respectability by being 



30 SOUL SAVING 

respecters of persons. This was the curse of Judaism ; 
this the curse of ancient Greece and Rome; this the 
curse of many churches that might otherwise be en- 
gaged in the saving of souls. Mary gave no consider- 
ation to how her act would affect her social position, 
but followed the example of Christ, whose glory blazed 
through every social barrier and who made in him one 
new man, insomuch that he recognized neither rich 
nor poor, high nor low. He is no respecter of persons. 
"He that doeth the will of my Father, is my brother ;" 
the sinner, is my friend; the publican, is my patient; 
the lost one found, is of my sheepfold; and he that 
was dead, is my son. We should imitate the example 
of Mary as she imitated the example of Jesus. Noth- 
ing will take the place of this sociability. We must 
manifest a deeper interest in the less favored in the 
Kingdom of heaven. We must seek the honor and 
happiness of all. We must plan and invent methods to 
make the discouraged man and woman and child rec- 
ognize that Christ is working amongst them. We 
must make all artificial and man-made classifications 
disappear. We must make the Lord the center of a 
heavenly circle, whose circumference surrounds all 
those who do his will and whose motto is, "The 
Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man." 

Some ask to be excused from service because others 
do so little, or nothing at all. Mary did not withhold 
her service because others present were not giving ex- 
pression to their love and devotion for the Master. 
So frequently we hear it said, "So and So is talented, 



DOING OUR BEST 31 

influential and wealthy; why doesn't he take hold and 
do something for Jesus? I have done my share. Let 
others now carry the burden of the day." But we 
are not to measure ourselves by the standard of others ; 
the apostle wisely said, "those who measure themselves 
by themselves and compare themselves amongst them- 
selves are not wise." 

We are taught in this Scripture that there is some- 
thing to be done for Jesus. We pause on that one 
word, "Jesus!" — the central object of all love. The 
Father loved him and was well pleased with his work. 
The angels left their throne to usher him into this 
world and sang upon the occasion of his birth, wajched 
over him during his earthly pilgrimage and received 
him back to glory. Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior 
of men; something to be done for Him. He is our 
teacher; we are his scholars. He is our captain; we 
are his soldiers. He is our shepherd ; we are his 
sheep. He is our Master; we are his servants. He 
is our king; we are his subjects. Surely, we ought to 
do something for him. We have been born anew by 
his gospel; washed by his blood; inspired by his ex- 
ample; animated by his hope and comforted by his 
Spirit. Surely, we can do something for Jesus. Our 
cry should be that of the apostle Paul, "Lord, what will 
thou have me to do?" As Christ was in the world as 
one that served, so should we serve. 

What does Christ most desire of us : Is it the 
product of our skill and labor? Does he not possess 
these in abundance? 



32 SOUL SAVING 

"My Father is rich in houses and lands, 
He holdeth the wealth of the world in his hands ; 
He has rubies and diamnods, silver and gold — 
His coffers are full, he has riches untold." 

He desires, first of all, our hearts. "My son, give 
me thy heart." I believe in head religion, and I also 
believe in heart religion, and in this thoughtful age 
religion is becoming too much a matter of thought ;*in 
this busy age too much a matter of business. Let the 
religion of Christ sanctify the heart ; let its affections 
be consecrated to its Lord and Master. 

Love is active. Men prove their love not so much 
by words as by their actions. Work is the way to 
strength. Inactivity is the way to infirmity. The run- 
ning water clears itself; the still water becomes stag- 
nant. The active soul serves its Master; the idle soul 
is the devil's workshop. In the world of sickness, 
where so many are upon beds of languishing, some- 
thing can be done for Jesus. In the world of sorrow, 
where hearts are breaking over the disappointments of 
life and the loss of loved ones, something can be 
done for Jesus. In the great world of sin, where so 
many are captives of Satan, careless about their soul's 
salvation and never mentioning the name of God save 
in the language of profanity, something can be done 
for Jesus. 

How can you better honor the bridegroom than by 
honoring the bride? "Forsake not the assembling of 
yourselves together as the manner of some is." Your 



DOING OUR BEST M 

principle should be "A day in thy courts is better than 
a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house 
of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." 
Attend and engage in the services in the house of God. 
This do for your own good. You are not so strong in 
the faith but what you may become stronger. Your 
souls must be edified, your hearts comforted, and your 
lives made more spiritual. Your attendance will influ- 
ence others to attend. Unless you are present how 
can you expect your friends and the ungodly to be 
there? If you love the Lord you must be found 
amongst the faithful and nothing but sickness or in- 
surmountable hindrances should keep you from the 
sanctuary of God. If you are tempted to spend the 
hour of service in idleness, or visiting, or recreation 
say to the tempter, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" 
When you become careless as regards the worship in 
the house of God you have started on the road to ruin. 
As long as you are faithful to the church worship 
you are almost sure to be safe from the enemy, and 
to refute the claims of the skeptic. There is a sermon 
for every Christian in the words of Voltaire, "I have 
no expectation that I will be able to destroy Christian- 
ity as long as vast multitudes of people attend the 
churches one day in every week." 

Do what you can in prayer. Abraham's cry was, 
"Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!" Jacob 
wrestled with the angel of the Lord till he received a 
blessing. The prophet of old prayed for the peace 
and prosperity of Zion. Hezekiah prayed for the 



34 SOUL SAVING 

Lord to lengthen out his days, and his life was pro- 
longed for fifteen years. Prayer was the key in the 
hands of Elijah that unlocked the clouds and brought 
down rain from heaven. Solomon prayed for wisdom 
from heaven to govern his great people and his prayer 
was answered. When Peter was in prison the little 
company gathered in the home of Mary and prayed for 
his deliverance ; and God heard, smote the shackles, 
opened the prison doors and gave the apostle his liberty. 
John Knox was a man of prayer. Mary, Queen of 
Scots, said she feared his prayers more than all the 
allied armies of Europe. We are assured that the 
prayers of the righteous avail much. If you pray ac- 
cording to the conditions defined in God's Word it 
will be a prayer that will command the blessing of 
heaven upon you and your purposes in life. Pray that 
the kingdom of heaven may come upon earth in the 
hearts and homes of men. 

Do what you can in witnessing for Christ. The 
prophets of old considered themselves as witnesses for 
the Lord. The early disciples said, "We are his wit- 
nesses." A word spoken in due season — how good 
it is. Israel had her great witnesses. Moses witnessed 
for the Lord when he commanded Pharoah to let the 
children of Israel depart. Samuel witnessed for the 
Lord when he said, "To obey is better than to sacri- 
fice." Elijah, when he stood before Ahab and said, 
"Thou art the man who is troubling Israel !" Nathan, 
when he stood before David and said, "Thou art the 
man I" John the Baptist, when he said to Herod, "It 



DOING OUR BEST 35 

is not lawful for thee to have thy brother Philip's 
wife." Paul, when he stood before Felix and reasoned 
of temperance, righteousness and judgment to come. 
Ambrose, when he drove Theodosius back from the 
gates of Milan. John Huss, when he called the burning 
blush of shame to the cheeks of Emperor Sigismund. 
Luther, when he faced kings and cardinals and said, 
"I cannot retract; God help me!" So did Ridley and 
Latimer when the blazing fagots shot upward around 
their bodies and their souls mounted up to heaven. No 
age has been without her great witnesses for Christ, 
and none has ever had a greater need for witnesses 
than the present. Evils are around us on every side. 
Moralists are treasuring up wrath against the day of 
wrath ; the indifferent are becoming more indifferent ; 
the negligent more negligent ; the dry bones still dryer. 
Infidelity is not so blatant, but it is more incipient, 
and therefore, more dangerous. The great work of the 
church of today is to enlist every member in the 
heavenly appointed work of soul-saving. Christ called 
Andrew. Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus. 
Christ called Philip and Philip invited Nathaniel. 
Christ told the man at the tombs to go and tell his 
friends what great things God had done for him. 
Christ sent Peter to preach to Cornelius and Cornelius 
invited his kinsmen. Thousands of Christians must 
praise God that some kind friend spoke to them about 
their soul's salvation. If sinners are active in enticing 
others to sin, Christians should be more active in 
saving souls. There is a work to be done everywhere 



36 SOUL SAVING 

and anywhere that opportunity presents itself. Christ 
said, "Tend my sheep; feed my lambs." So long as 
sin reigns the salvation of Christ must be preached. 

If you have not the power to preach that salvation 
you have the ability to invite the unsaved to the house 
of God where they can hear of the unsearchable riches 
of Christ. Say to them, as Moses said to Hobab, 
''Come thou with us and we will do thee good." Christ 
calls you to go labor in his vineyard; to go disciple 
all nations; to go preach the gospel to every creature. 
He calls you to arm yourself with the sword of the 
Spirit, and to let your light so shine before men that 
others may see your good works and glorify your 
Father which is in heaven. Every excuse has been 
answered that would keep you from engaging in the 
work of the Lord, and if there is one more thing that 
I would drive home in this discourse — if there is one 
more thought that I would sink into your conscience, 
like a nail into a sure place, it is this ; every individual 
Christian has a work to do, and if he does not do it, 
it will not be done ; an influence to exert and if he does 
not exert it, it will be withheld; a kind word to speak 
and if he does not speak it, it will never be spoken. 
It is the heartfelt conviction of my soul that the hope 
of the church in the future will depend more upon the 
activities of the congregation than upon the ministra- 
tions of the clergy. The call is for all Christians — old 
and young, to join in head and heart, and in body and 
soul, in the work of saving men from sin. 

What are you doing? I would emphasize the word, 



DOING OUR BEST 37 

"What." I would bring this question close to your 
hearts. What have you done in the Sunday-school, 
in the church, in the missionary circle for Christ? 
What have you done in the home, in your society, in 
your business for Christ ? What have you done in the 
work of philanthropy for Christ? What have you 
done to rescue the perishing, to comfort the sorrowing, 
to strengthen the faith of the weak, to call back the 
wanderer, to find the lost sheep and to glorify your 
Father in heaven? Have you done what you could? 
If not, ask Christ's forgiveness and remember what 
he did for you and put forth every effort to redeem the 
past and to do more for the Master. 

What are you doing? I emphasize "you," for this is 
a personal matter. What are you rich, what are you 
poor, what are you of high standing, what are you of 
low estate, doing for Jesus? It is a personal question 
to every heart. Is your heart's desire and prayer to 
God for the salvation of the lost ? Have you done any- 
thing in the past, and are you doing anything now, to 
advance the glory of God? 

This text contains the measures of your responsibil- 
ity. God will ask for nothing beyond your power. If 
you think this is an easy rule ask yourself this impor- 
tant question, "Have I done what I could?" Am I 
doing more than I did in the past ? Is my ideal higher ? 
Is my standard of duty advancing? Is my life better? 
Am I ready to stand before the judgment bar of Christ 
and answer this question ? Oh, what a searching ques- 
tion ! Test yourself with it, soberly, earnestly, prayer- 



38 SOUL SAVING 

fully. Let the busy man of affairs ; let the successful 
ones in life; let the disappointed and sad ones; let 
the older and long-trusted ones; let those who have 
been unfortunate and those who have been ruined by 
the crimes of others ask this question, "Have I done 
what I could?" Have you wives and mothers, whose 
sacred office has been the formation of character; you 
lonely women, who have been kept in retirement and 
seclusion; you young women, with so few cares for 
yourselves and with time for large service, done what 
you could? Have you bereaved parents, you desolate 
widows, you burdened, solitary souls, done what you 
could? Have you young men whose glory is in your 
strength done what you could ? 

To all who have been sitting at the feet of Jesus 
and drinking in his spirit, have you broken the ala- 
baster box of the best of your life on his head, for the 
salvation of souls and the glory of your God? Have 
you been taxing your resources and ransacking your 
coffers, as did Mary, that you might bring the highest 
and best offering to the Master? If you have not 
been able to do great things, have you been doing the 
little acts of kindness, and performing the little deeds 
of devotion for your Master? God promises to help 
us to do more as soon as we are willing to do some- 
thing. He forgives us, as soon as we are ready to 
forgive our debtors. Luther did not commence his 
work with any purpose of effecting so great a Reforma- 
tion ; he did what he could and was finally constrained 
to take a stand against the whole church. It is an im- 



DOING OUR BEST 39 

pelling thought that if we do what we can, we are 
immediately prepared to do more. We take one step 
at a time. Little by little life opens before us; little 
by little our faith increases ; little by little we rise to em- 
inences of thought and life, and to broader conceptions 
of God's goodness, scarcely knowing how we came to 
see so much, do so much, enjoy so much by following 
out the thought of doing what we can. You know his 
promise — he that gives a cup of cold water to the least 
of his disciples will not be without his reward? Have 
you forgotten his words, inasmuch as ye did it unto 
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it 
unto me? Behold, what he said of Mary: "Where- 
soever this gsopel shall be preached throughout the 
whole world this shall be spoken of as a memorial of 
her." Crowned kings and queens have bowed before 
this monument. Martyrs and missionaries have been 
encouraged by it. Prisoners have listened to the beau- 
tiful story. Its encouragement has comforted the poor ; 
it has sustained the modest and retiring in their obscure 
labors of love; it has been heralded around the 
world, and today we place a garland of flowers upon 
this monument to commemorate the memory of Mary 
and to fulfill the prophecy spoken nineteen hun- 
dred years ago. Today, we honor the Master by new 
resolutions to serve him with all the power of 
our souls and with all the affection of our hearts, 
knowing that he will not forget our works of 
faith; knowing that if we do our best in thought, in 
word, in prayer, in deed, souls will be saved, Christ 



40 SOUL SAVING 

glorified, and the church go on from conquering unto 
conquest ! 



GOD IN THE WORLD 

"In the beginning, God." — Gen. 1:1. 
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto him- 
self:'— 11. Cor. 5:19. 

The sentence, "In the beginning, God," stands like 
an archway at the beginning of the universe. In the 
beginning of heaven, God; in the beginning of the 
earth, God; in the beginning of time, God; in the be- 
ginning of man, God; in the beginning of the Bible, 
God; in the beginning of -salvation, God; standing in 
the center of a railroad track and looking down be- 
tween the two rails, they seem to approach each other 
in the distance, until finally they meet; so, looking 
back through the history of the different races of men 
there is a common point, where all converge, and that 
point is "God." Looking back at the universe to the 
time when the chaotic mists hung across the morning 
of creation, we see streaking their silvery summits that 
infinite word, "God." Looking above us at the stars 
of the heavens, and contemplating their number and 
magnitude, and the power that created and sustains 
them, we think of "God." Looking forward into the 
infinite future, toward which all are traveling, we meet 
with "God." The idea of God is the center of the 
spiritual universe. It is the focal point of human 



42 SOUL SAVING 

thought. It is the answer to the soul's thirst. It is the 
universal prayer. It is the greatest idea in the world. 
It is the idea that overwhelms us; that humbles us: 
that exalts us, that saves us ; that inspires us, and that 
makes us believe in our immortality. It is the key- 
note to religious progress. "As a man thinks about 
God, so he is." 

Sooner or later every man will rise or fall according 
to his conception of God. The idea of God has been 
made to serve tyrants as well as saints. It has been 
an inspiration to every noble service and an incentive 
to every form of selfishness. It has been the plea 
of the martyr and the excuse of the criminal. It has 
marched the good and great in their acts of kindness 
and philanthropy, and it has been the debasing power 
for the vicious and impure. It has been the greatest 
blessing to the world, and the greatest curse to the 
world. The nation whose God is the Lord is exalted 
in righteousness and leads in the van of history. The 
nation whose God is Bael is. a reproach to civilization 
and a curse upon the earth. We should rejoice that 
we live in a land whose God is the God of the Bible 
and the God of Nature; the ultimate force and the 
ultimate fact of the universe; the center of all order 
and the heart of all just government. 

Unfortunatly, our God has been depicted in a light 
that is neither attractive nor designed to constrain us 
to love him. In Art he is too frequently represented 
as being seated in a rigid and formal manner upon a 
straight-backed chair, with eyes gazing into space, with 



GOD IN THE WORLD 43 

a crown upon his head, with a royal robe wrapped 
about him, with a scepter of gold in his hand, with 
his feet resting upon a globe as if to make him the 
terrible ruler of the earth. In Science, he has too 
frequently been represented not as a person — not as a 
Father, with a heart to love, not with ears to hear the 
cries of his children, not with lips to pardon our sins, 
not with eyes to look tenderly upon our misgivings, but 
as something that is unreal and intangible, and with 
no personality. In Philosophy he is too frequently rep- 
resented as having created the world, and then leaving 
it to its own devices ; leaving it to go whirling through 
space in obedience to the laws of Nature ; leaving men 
to wreak their mad and murderous impulses out upon 
themselves and their helpless wives and children ; leav- 
ing the race without hope, without prayer, without per- 
mission to approach the throne of grace. 

In Pantheism, God is made identical with the uni- 
verse — therefore, is a flower, or a stone, or a tree, or 
light, or heat, or earth, or heavens, or the aggregate 
of all these; a God without thought and emotion; a 
God without tenderness and love ; a God without in- 
terest in the affairs of men. In History, he has fre- 
quently been represented as a conquering King, ruling 
the people by his iron will ; as a Judge, executing the 
laws ; as a Master subjugating his slaves ; as a great 
pattern of man, full of meanness and cruelty, directing 
the affairs of men, and therefore, the God of History 
has been made by some people into a God of rivers 
and harbors ; a God of storms and floods ; a God of 



44 SOUL SAVING 

health and sickness; a God of war and peace; a God 
of agriculture and wealth; a God whose wrath must 
be appeased and whose favor must be won by the offer- 
ing of sacrifices. But we rejoice that in Christ we have 
a new conception of God. Jesus taught us to say, "Our 
Father." It was the enunciation of the great truth of 
the universal Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood 
of man. Neither Art, nor Science, nor Philosophy, 
nor Pantheism, nor History, nor Nature had taught 
such a comprehensive view of our God. It is a new 
idea of God that came through the Revelation of the 
Lord Jesus Christ; an idea of God that brings to- 
gether in one brotherhood and family all that dwell 
upon the face of the earth; an idea that levels all 
castes and ranks of men ; an idea that brings peace and 
good-will to men ; an idea that binds all races and colors 
together in one common bond of sympthy; an idea 
that saint and sinner, bond and free, Greek and Barba- 
rian, may accept with all heart and soul : We love to 
entertain this idea of God. We may apprehend this 
idea of "Our Father," though not be able to compre- 
hend the fullness of its meaning. 

There is no need of arguments to prove the existence 
of our Father. The Bible assumes that God exists, 
and that every man's conscience is a witness to that 
fact; with this idea in view, we love to think of God 
as being in the world and the world belonging to him, 
and that in him we live, and move and have our being. 
Idols have been in the world and claimed it, but we 
rejoice that they are being overthrown and the idol 



GOD IN THE WORLD 45 

worshippers are turning from the gods of wood, stone, 
brass, silver and gold, to the God of the heart and 
home, of Nature and Revelation. Satan has been in 
the world and claimed it and ruled it as the Prince of 
the powers of darkness. He laid claim to it when he 
led Jesus up into the Mount and showed him all the 
kingdoms of the world, and offered them to him if he 
would bow down and worship him; but we rejoice that 
the power of Satan has been broken, and men have 
turned from Satan unto God. Great conquerors have 
been in the world and endeavored to govern it ; Cyrus 
and his legions tried it; Xerxes and his millions tried 
it; Alexander and his Invincibles tried it; Caesar and 
his Roman Eagles tried it ; Charlemagne and his army 
tried it; Napoleon and his regulars tried it; but they 
failed — they all failed and their armies were dispersed. 
Men of wealth have tried to buy it ; monopolists have 
attempted to monopolize it ; kings have endeavored to 
rule it ; but every effort to control the earth has been 
such a failure that the inscription could be written over 
the hearts of the usurpers that is written over the door 
of the Royal Exchange of London — "The earth is the 
Lord's and the fullness thereof." 

God is in the world as its Creator. The Scriptures 
tell us that "in the beginning God created the heavens 
and the earth." "Thou hast made the heaven of heav- 
ens, with all their hosts, the earth with all things 
thereon, the seas and all that is therein, and thou pre- 
servest them all." "He stretcheth out the north over 
the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing." 



46 SOUL SAVING 

"He hath made everything beautiful in its time." "The 
Spirit of the Lord hath made me; the breath of the 
Almighty hath given me life." "It is he that made 
us, and not we ourselves." "We are his people, the 
sheep of his pasture." "He giveth to all life and breath 
and all things, and hath made of one blood all nations 
to dwell upon the face of the earth and hath the times 
afore appointed and the bounds of their habitations." 
There is design in Nature and design presupposes a 
designer. A ship presupposes a ship-builder; a watch 
a watch-maker; a world a world-designer and world- 
maker. A world-designer is a thinker and that Thinker 
is God — the Creator of the universe. Man has made 
wonderful things ; great are the beauties of art and 
wonders of science ! Have you never studied the great 
bronze and marble statues conceived by the wisdom 
of man and wrought by the delicate instruments of his 
hand? Have you never studied the great paintings 
of man, with all their beauty, harmony, proportion and 
exquisite finish that have portrayed the great events 
of the world and won the admiration of men — statues 
and paintings that have been produced by great masters 
through years of toil, that have adorned great cathe- 
drals and galleries for centuries ; that have been looked 
upon by authors, poets, artists, conquerors, and tourists 
from all the nations of the earth, and yet, notwithstand- 
ing all their beauty and finish, there is not one of them 
that can equal the delicacy of the little flower or sur- 
pass the beauty of the gorgeous sunset, or the grandeur 
of the star-gemmed heavens. Not even the greatest 



GOD IN THE WORLD 47 

of God's children, though he be taxed to the utmost — 
though his life depended upon it, could make a blade 
of grass. God is in the harmony, law, order, intelli- 
gence, design, relation of cause to effect, adaptation of 
means to an end and purpose of all Nature. 

God is in the world as its Preserver. His province 
ruleth over all. "The Lord God is a sun and shield and 
buckler to them that walk uprightly." "Except the 
Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; 
except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh 
in vain." "When a man's ways please the Lord, he 
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." 
"There are many devices in a man's heart; neverthe- 
less, the counsel of the Lord shall stand." If our 
heavenly Father cares for the sparrows, and hears the 
cry of the ravens, shall he not much more care for 
those who are made in his likeness, and hear the cry 
of his darlings ? 

God is in the world in promise. The best men in 
the world have never been satisfied with it. The song 
of the poet, the prophecy of the seer, the philosophy 
of the pagan, and the spiritual insight of the Christian 
have all spoken of a time, 

"When wars and tumults all shall cease, 
And be banished grief and pain ; 

When righteousness and joy and peace, 
Undisturbed shall ever reign." 

Possibilities are being developed in the earth which 



48 SOUL SAVING 

indicate that even a blooming paradise may be planted 
in reigions where climate and vegetation seem un- 
favorable. The remarkable development of the intel- 
lect of man is beginning to indicate some of the 
gigantic strides of man's progress in mental science. 
The humanitarian ideas of men are beginning to proph- 
esy that the time will come when the lion shall lie down 
with the lamb, and when we add to this anticipation, 
the voice of God speaking through Revelation we are 
indeed encouraged, for herein we are told "That there 
shall be a time when all the ends of the earth shall turn 
unto the Lord ; that all the men of the earth shall wor- 
ship before him; that righteousness shall look down 
from heaven ; that they that sow in tears shall reap 
in joy; that there shall be a restitution of all things; 
that the day shall come when men will beat their 
swords into plowshares ; that nation shall not rise up 
against nation, nor shall they learn war any more ; 
that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth 
as the waters cover the sea; that he shall put all ene- 
mies under his feet, that every knee shall bow and 
every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Christ to the 
glory of God." 

God is in the world in the history of man. He is 
in the world of nature, ruling by great forces, and in 
the nations of the earth, ruling by great principles. 
He walks in the nations and gives them light, visits 
them with judgment, and opens the gates that the 
righteous nations that possess the truth, may enter 
therein. He established Israel and kept her in the 



GOD IN THE WORLD 49 

midst of warlike nations. His plan is neither isolation 
nor antagonism, but the Brotherhood of man and the 
Fatherhood of God. His plan is to make the nations 
complements to one another. No one national type 
contains all perfections. Every nation has its limita- 
toins and deficiencies. The Sciences teach as that 
we are indebted all around : For example, we learn 
in Botany that the Jasamine came from the East 
Indies, the Lily and Tulip from the Levant, the Tube 
rose from Java, the Pink from China, the Dahlia from 
Mexico, the Heliotrope and the Fuchia from Chili, 
and the Shrubs from Japan. Every nation has a con- 
tribution to make to civilization. The Hebrew pre- 
served the real worship of the true and only God ; 
the Grecian gave to the world culture, and the Roman 
law and authority. The nations of the earth are in- 
tended to enrich one another in art, industry, litera- 
ture, language, government, and religion, and every 
nation should make the most of itself for the good of 
others. Every nation must develop its special talents 
and do what it can for the good of humanity. Our 
motto must not be "America for America," but 
"America for the world and for God." 

God has truly been in the history of our nation. The 
historian who makes a record of the discovery, settle- 
ment and growth of our country, and leaves God out 
of it, does not write a correct history. Columbus had 
a strong faith in God and in the prophesies of the 
Bible, as well as in the rotundity of the earth, that 
led him to seek a new world. He looked with a pro- 



50 SOUL SAVING 

phetic vision toward the golden sunsets of the West. 
The new world was a necessity. The ever-increasing 
population of the old world demanded it ; the ambition 
of man required it; the growth of commerce called 
for it; the progress of political and religious liberty 
insisted upon it ; it was the logical demand of the 
times. The heart of man was yearning for a wider 
field of usefulness. The development of Christian 
ideals was calling for opportunity. Columbus was 
the instrument in God's hand to do the work. 

"Well may he utter prayers of gratitude to God 
For guiding him to that green island's sod." 

As God was in the Discovery so he was in the Set- 
tlement of this country. Never was the hand of Prov- 
idence more distinctly shown than in the sifting of the 
nations of Europe for the best blood for the new 
world. Never did a nation have a better beginning. 
The settlers of old Rome were robbers ; the settlers 
of Greece were wandering tribes ; Israel came from 
Egyptian brick-yards; the early settlers of Germany 
and Briton wore the skins of beasts and spread fire 
and desolation on every side ; but the early settlers of 
our country were a civilized people. They had in 
their brains and hearts the highest ideals of the high- 
est civilizations of Europe. They were the best people 
on earth fitted to found a new world. There were no 
such people as followed Pizaro into Peru and Cortez 
into Mexico. They were men of faith, determination 



GOD IN THE WORLD 51 

and prayer. They were courageous, conscientious and 
devout. They brought with them the great ideas of 
material prosperity, better government, broader cul- 
ture, and greater religious freedom. Their movements 
and enterprise were made with an appeal to God for 
his blessing. When forced to defend their rights, they 
did so in the name of the Lord of Hosts. When 
they assembled in Congress they came together as a 
deliberate body of Christian men. Unless we read their 
history with the eye of faith we cannot account for 
their success in face of the opposition of Priest-craft 
and King-craft. The early history of our nation shows 
that God was with the people and that he did not 
intend this country for the frenzied religious zeal and 
inquisition of Spain, the fashion and infidelity of 
France, the aristocracy of England, but for liberty, 
education and Christianity. Thus it is written in God's 
Book of Destiny that over the homes of America 
should float neither the Lion and Tower of Spain, nor 
the Golden Lilies of France, nor the Union Jack of 
England, but the Stars and Stripes of America ! 

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to him- 
self/' Christ is the express image of the Father. 
Jesus said unto Philip: "He that hath seen me hath 
seen the Father." God was in Christ, not to condemn, 
but to save the world ; to draw the world unto him- 
self; to heal the woes of man; to cleanse man from 
sin and to establish in his heart the great principle 
of brotherly love and worship of God. It is a won- 
derful thought that God was in Christ reconciling the 



52 SOUL SAVING 

world to himself. He was in him as the light is in 
the sunbeam. It demonstrates the infinite kindness of 
our heavenly Father. He looked upon man and rec- 
ognized his needs. He looked upon his sorrows and 
sent him a Comforter. He looked upon his ignorance 
and sent him a Teacher. He looked upon his sins and 
sent him a Savior, and that Teacher, and Comforter, 
and Savior was his own Son. Would you like to 
know how God feels toward you and toward his chil- 
dren ? Study how Jesus felt toward those who sur- 
rounded him while he walked the hills and valleys of 
the Holy Land. Referring to the little children, he 
said: ''Suffer the little children to come unto me, and 
forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of 
heaven." That one sentence shows the heart of God 
toward little children. When he saw the suffering 
sisters at the grave of their brother he wept with 
them, and called the brother back from the dead, thus 
showing how he sympathizes with the sorrowing for 
all time to come. When he looked upon the sins of 
Jerusalem, he wept over the wicked city, showing his 
touch of humanity toward the erring ones. When he 
saw the blind beggar by the wayside he turned to him, 
and said: "What shall I do unto thee?" When the 
beggar asked for his sight, Jesus said, "Be it done 
unto thee according to thy faith." When he saw the 
man writhing under the power of demons he had pity 
upon him and cast out the demons and sent the healed 
one back to his home to tell what great things God 
had done for him. Are the gates of death opening 



GOD IN THE WORLD 53 

to you ? He has promised to be with you and to guide 
you even unto death, thus showing that our Father 
has a feeling of sympathy toward his children in sick- 
ness, in sorrow, in sin, in anguish of soul, and in sight 
of Death. 

God is in the Church of Christ. It was prophesied 
that he would be in the midst of her and help her, and 
that right early. If the church had not been of God's 
planting and an object of his special care it long since 
would have come to naught, but it was of God and 
therefore could not be overthrown. God has given 
her victory over Judaism, Paganism, Barbarianism 
and Infidelity. The blood of the martyrs has been the 
seed of the church. The greater the opposition, the 
greater the growth. Had not God been in the church, 
she could have never withstood' the weapons that have 
been leveled against her. A living church requires a 
living Savior. 

God is in the hearts of his people. He dwelleth in 
the high and holy place, and in the humble and contrite 
heart. "The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst 
us, and of its fullness have we all received and grace 
for grace." "He that believeth hath the witness in 
himself." "The kingdom of heaven is within you." 
"Ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost." "Behold, I 
stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my 
voice and open the door I will come in unto him and 
sup with him and he with me." "If any man have 
not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his." "Let this 
mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." "Repent, 



54 SOUL SAVING 

and be baptized in the name of Jesus unto remission 
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy 
Spirit." "Christ within, the hope of glory." 

With these ideas of God we have a sure foundation 
for moral distinctions. A world without God would 
be an immoral world. Man without God would be a 
debased criminal. With these ideas of God we have 
the assurance of immortality. God is; therefore, we 
are. God exists; therefore we can hope for eternal 
existence. Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for- 
ever. Our immortality is derived from him. With 
these ideas of God there is a great goal toward which 
we are moving. Without God the universe would be 
without purpose. Without God there would be no 
plan in creation, but with the right conception of God, 
the plan for which all things were created, is redemp- 
tion, and it is with that end in view that God is in the 
world in Christ, reconciling men unto himself. With 
these ideas of God men are constrained to draw near 
unto him in all confidence and love. He is no longer 
the "Unknown" God. He has spoken to us in Christ. 
He has manifested himself in a human life. He has 
unveiled his love for man through his dear Son. As 
a result, men have a better understanding of him. He 
is not less powerful, but more lovable, because men 
know him better, and the more they know him the 
more they love him. With these ideas of God our 
faith is strengthened; we are comforted in our sor- 
rows, and reconciled to our lot, — be it one of disap- 
pointment or joy. With this idea of God there is 



GOD IN THE WORLD 55 

hope for all : Have you forsaken the path of rectitude 
and honor and lost your self-respect? Have you felt 
the hardness and cruelty of men, and at times felt like 
an outcast upon the earth ? Have you felt the pangs of 
poverty and the bondage and inconvenience of desti- 
tution ? Have you ever felt that you are in the bonds 
of iniquity and gall of bitterness, and unworthy of 
recognition on the part of your Creator? Remember 
that God is your Father and Christ is your Savior. 
Have you been called to enter the shadow of affliction 
— have the loved ones, whose hearts were entwined 
about yours, been taken to the Green Lawns, the 
Forest Homes, and the Mt. Hopes? Have you felt 
age whitening your locks and enfeebling your limbs 
and the earth slipping from you ? Has the companion 
who walked by your side, upon whom you lavished the 
treasures of your love, and who pillowed your head 
and stroked your temple, been placed beneath the 
white stones of the cemetery? Remember in "your 
loneliness and yearning for companionship, that God 
is your Father and Christ is your Savior. Are heaven's 
gates swinging open for you and the summons calling 
for you? Remember that God is your Father and 
Christ is your Savior, and hear him say: "In my 
Father's house are many mansions." "I am the Res- 
urrection and the Life." Thank God that you pos- 
sess the true knowledge of him, and that you believe 
on him ; that He is in the creation, in the preservation, 
in the history, and in the salvation of man. 

The man must be blind who cannot recognize God's 



56 SOUL SAVING 

presence in the world. When we consider the history 
of the nations, and how, out of their crumbling ruins, 
God has built a better civilization, how he has 
overthrown tyrants that better men might rule, 
and how he has made the wrath of man to praise 
him, we recognize that God is in the world. When we 
consider the rapid developments and great achieve- 
ments of the human race in times of peace, 
the commercial blessings and benevolent institutions of 
the nations that acknowledge the Lord as God, and 
the founders of our Republic, and their victories of 
faith, we recognize that God is in the world. When 
we consider the origin and growth of our Sunday- 
schools — that mighty army marching under the ban- 
ner of their King, and singing joyous songs that make 
the very welkin ring, the organization and growth 
of the Young People's Societies, embracing the whole 
world in their mighty compass and developing the 
principles of the kingdom of heaven, our mission- 
ary societies and the great difficulty under which they 
were organized, the stupendous obstacles they encoun- 
tered in their growth, and the remarkable victories 
in winning souls to Christ in the midst of heathen 
darkness, and how feeble our churches were in their 
origin, oppressed in their beginning, rapid in their 
growth and wonderful in their transforming power 
over society, we recognize that God is in the world. 
When we consider the pit from which God lifted us, 
the sins from which he has cleansed us, and the com- 
fort that he has given to us, and what Christianity 



GOD IN THE WORLD 57 

has done in renewing men, in inspiring them to great 
undertakings, in making them the light of the world, 
the leaven that leavens the lump of humanity, we 
recognize that God is in the world. When we stand 
beside those we love with hearts so dear, and bid them 
a last adieu, and see their unfaltering faith in the 
presence of death and their strong hope of heaven, 
we recognize that God is in the world. When we 
reach the limit of our earthly life and stand between 
the past and the eternal future, and find in Christ 
Jesus an anchor of faith, both sure and steadfast, and 
recall how He has kept us, sustained us, cheered us, 
comforted us, and now points us to heaven with a 
faith and hope and love that cannot be shaken, and 
bids our hearts rejoice that we have kept the faith 
and finished the course, and are now ready and willing 
to obey the summons to come up higher and receive 
through him the reward that awaits the righteous, we 
recognize that God is in the world. 

Only the fool can say there is no God, and he can- 
not say it from any show of reason, but from the cor- 
ruption of his own depraved heart; therefore, let us 
sum up the whole matter and hear the conclusion of 
the whole discussion: Our God is great, holy, wise, 
good, powerful and merciful. He is in the world 
in its creation, preservation, history and redemption; 
therefore, humble yourselves before him, worship him, 
and prepare to meet him. Let old and young, rich 
and poor, learned and ignorant, prepare to meet him. 
Everyone must soon meet him and answer for the 



58 SOUL SAVING 

deeds done in his body, for the use of his time and 
talents, and for the improvement of his privileges and 
opportunities. Oh, man ! Are you prepared to meet 
your God? If not, I entreat you, by his love and 
mercy, prepare to meet him. I entreat you, by the 
atoning blood of Jesus Christ, prepare to meet him. I 
entreat you, in the interest of your own salvation, 
prepare to meet him now. Make ready while you have 
the opportunity; accept the invitation while it is being 
given; obey his will and consecrate yourself, body 
soul, and spirit, to his service today ; make your peace 
with God ere another sun sinks beneath the horizon 
and judgment dawns upon you and finds you unpre- 
pared ! 



NO OTHER NAME 

"And in none other is there salvation. For neither is 
there any other name in heaven that is given among 
men wherein we must be saved." — Acts 4:12. 

Thus does Peter conclude his splendid tribute to 
Christ in speaking to the people as they marveled con- 
cerning the lame man which he had healed at the 
gates of the temple. It must have given the Sanhedrim 
much food for thought when they found that they 
could not put down this new religion by commanding 
the apostles not to preach in His name. This great 
truth was proclaimed by an eye witness : Peter knew 
Jesus and had witnessed the manifestations of his 
power. He knew whereof he spoke ; it was knowledge 
from the first source ; he was a companion of Jesus ; he 
had been with him in his travels as a personal friend; 
he had listened to his teachings as a disciple ; he had 
communion with him by prayer, praise, and conversa- 
tion ; others took knowledge that he had been with 
jesus. He had not followed cunningly devised fables. 
He spoke as he was moved by the Holy Spirit. What 
he said must be received with all confidence and claim 
our utmost attention. 

It is reasonable to ask, "What kind of salvation?" 
Salvation was a familiar word to the people of Israel. 



60 * SOUL SAVING 

It generally meant the deliverance of Israel from ene- 
mies and generally referred to a national salvation ; but 
the term used in the text refers to the saving of men 
from moral ruin, — from sin, from the fears of death, 
from the machinations of Satan, and from the terrors 
of judgment. It includes the readjustment of man's 
relations to God and the restoration of man to his 
rightful position in the Divine economy, so that his 
will shall be in harmony with the will of God and his 
conscience awakened to every call to duty, and his 
heart receive and love Jesus as the Savior of men. The 
thought of being saved suggests a most perilous situa- 
tion. When the word is used in our language we think 
of the fireman making a desperate attempt to rescue 
some human being from the devouring flames; or of 
the mariner baffling with the waves to rescue some 
poor soul from drowning ; or of the doctor at the bed- 
side of the waning patient making a brave fight to save 
the life of the sufferer, and with great joy do we hear 
the glad tiding when the crisis is past. Sin is a ter- 
rible thing and the salvation that Christ has brought 
means deliverance from sin. 

The text declares that salvation is "in the name" of 
the Lord, Jesus Christ, and in none other name. A 
name stands for a person or thing. It is a revelation 
of what a person or thing is. Names, are mysteries, 
labeled; a thing not labeled is a mystery. If it has not 
been named we look at it, smell it, taste it, wonder 
what it is. When it is named the curiosity is annihi- 
lated. A thing does not incite as much wonder after 



NO OTHER NAME 61 

it is named as before. There is much in a name. The 
destinies of nations have been decided by the signifi- 
cance of a name. Armies have been inspired by a 
name. If the name stands for a person, it includes 
whatever rights, privileges, traits of character and 
achievements belong to that person. When we hear 
the name "Moses" we think of the law -giver of Israel ; 
of "David," we think of the king and psalmist of 
Israel ; of "Paul," we think of the great apostle to the 
Gentiles; of "Solon," we think of the wise man of 
Greece; of "Julius Caesar," we think of the Roman 
general ; of "Luther," we think of the great reformer ; 
of "Wesley," we think of the founder of Methodism ; 
of "Washington," the Father of our country; of 
"Gladstone," the great statesman of England; and 
when we hear the name of Jesus Christ we think of 
salvation, and salvation only in His Name. We have 
no access to God by reason of our own names, but 
through the name of his well-beloved son he admits 
us to our Savior and to his throne of grace. The 
name "Jesus" is fraught with deep significance and 
pregnant with meaning, therefore let us inquire what 
are some of the characteristics of this wonderful ap- 
pellation. 

It is a transcendant name. "God hath highly ex- 
alted him and given him a name that is above every 
name." All intelligent creatures have names by which 
they are distinguished. Angels have their names — 
Michael, Gabriel, Uriel. The name of one may rhine 
with great grandeur and glory than others. High in 



62 SOUL SAVING 

the military horizon stands the name of "Wellington." 
The name "Newton" is exalted amongst the roll of the 
heroes of astronomy. The name, "Garibaldi" glistens 
upon the pages of Italy. The name, "Victoria" stands 
for much in Great Britain. The name of "Emperor 
William" is an inspiration to every German. But the 
name, "Jesus," stands above every name. It towers 
above the names of men, spirits and angels. No name 
on the earth will lift and thrill, arouse dormant ener- 
gies, agitate, comfort and bless like the name "Jesus." 
It is the independently perfect name; the one tran- 
scendant name ; no name like it in all the universe. It 
is the name that stands over every hierarchy in crea- 
tion. It is the most popular name in heaven and the 
most popular name on earth. At the utterance of that 
name many a soul, has been delivered from the bond- 
age of sin. At the utterance of that name men in 
defiant infidelity have been humbled and led to be- 
lieve and rejoice, and to cry out for mercy and help 
to undo the mischief of their lives. 

The name, "Jesus," stands transcendant in art, in 
literature, and in the governments of the world. If 
you write a letter or sign a document you must honor 
Christ by dating it, "in the year of our Lord." It mat- 
ters not what you call him : whether it be Son of God, 
Savior, Redeemer, Creator, King, Morning Star, Sun 
of Righteousness, or My Lord and My God, it is a 
transcendant name that stands above all other names 
in the hearts of his people. 

It is a Precious Name. He is the chosen of God, 



NO OTHER NAME 63 

elect and precious. The angels announced that he 
should be called Jesus, because he should save the 
people from their sins- God gave him this name. 
So simple and easy that it becomes the tongue of a 
child and fits the voice of the aged, and is readily- 
adapted to every tongue and dialect. 

"Jesus, I love thy charming name, 

"Tis music to my ear, 
Fain would I sound it out so loud 

That heaven and earth would hear." 

The Scriptures declare that unto all who believe, he 
is precious. His name is precious to us because it 
saves us from sin. He is precious in his character — 
he is human to sympathize and divine to help. He is 
precious as a teacher, his words have brought light 
to our darkened souls and hope to our despondent 
hearts. His blood is precious because it cleanses us 
from sin. He is precious in his promises, — they have 
sustained us in the conflicts of life. "I am with you, 
be not dismayed. I will guide you, even unto the 
end." 

It is a comforting name. He is called the God of 
all consolation. Simeon spoke of him as the consola- 
tion of Israel. Paul declares there is consolation in 
him through grace and that our consolation abounds 
in him. Before leaving the world Christ promised to 
send us the Comforter, and when the Comforter came 
he gave us seasons of refreshments from the presence 



64 SOUL SAVING 

of the Lord. Mention the name of Jesus to the dark- 
ened soul and it will bring light. Mention that name 
to the mother weeping over her dying babe and she 
will find comfort. Mention it to the lonely widow 
following the bier of her only son ,and her heart will 
be comforted. Mention it to the sisters as they stand 
at the grave of their brother and they will be com- 
forted. Mention it to the bereaved companion and his 
heart will be comforted in the hope of the resurrec- 
tion. Mention it to the lonely one traveling down the 
vale of life, and it will open the very gates of heaven. 
None other name amongst men so full of comfort to 
the bereaved soul. Jesus stands by the bedside of 
the languishing; by the cradle that contains the suf- 
fering patient; by the devouring grave, and says, 
"Look to me; I am the God of all comfort." The 
world may offer its human sympathy, its money, its 
pleasures and its honors, but the name, "Jesus," brings 
comfort when all else has failed. 

It is a Conquering name. We are told that "at the 
name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in 
heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 
and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ 
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The same 
book assures us that all enemies shall be put under his 
feet; that just spirits shall praise him; that the uni- 
verse shall ascribe glory and honor and power unto the 
Lamb forever and ever. John beheld him upon a 
white horse, with a bow in his hand and a crown upon 
his head, going forth from conquering unto conquest. 



NO OTHER NAME 65 

"Who is this that cometh from Edom, coming with 
dyed garments from Bozrah? He that is mighty to 
save." There is mighty power in this name. It has 
mastered many a soul and conquered many a nation. 
It has the ascendancy in heaven and is rapidly gaining 
the ascendancy on earth. It conquered the hearts of 
prophets, apostles, and martyrs. It conquered Juda- 
ism, Paganism and Barbarianism. It has conquered 
millions who have been constrained to say, "I have set 
my affections upon him and have submitted my will 
to him, and my thoughts doth meditate on him day 
and night." The longer the world lasts the more con- 
quering power is manifested in that name. The might- 
iest names of the earth have either perished or are 
perishing. Where is Phillip the Second, of Spain? 
Richard Third, of England? Louis XIV., of France? 
Peter the Great, of Russia? — conquering names that 
made the world tremble? We speak of them as being 
dead with none to do them honor, but the name of 
Jesus Christ, the conqueror of Conquerors, still lives. 
It lives in our songs of salvation ; it lives in our mag- 
nificent architecture; it lives in the histories of the 
world; it lives in the Church of Christ; it lives in the 
hearts of millions upon millions of his disciples; it 
lives as the mediator between God and man, as the 
hope of glory; it lives as the password into heaven. 
No wonder that Paul declared that we are more than 
conquerors through him that loved us, and that John 
declared that we overcome this world and gain the 
victory through our faith in him. 



66 SOUL SAVING 

"There is salvation in this name." "Believe on the 
Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." "Christ 
is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God 
by him." Christ's commission is, "Go into all the 
world and preach the Gospel to every creature, and he 
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." It is 
called a great salvation. It is greater than commer- 
cial transactions ; greater than healing or teaching. It 
is great because of its author, its effects and blessings. 
It expresses the soul's supreme desire, that of being 
saved. 

This salvation is exclusive in the name of Jesus. 
Substitution is impossible. Efforts have been made to 
substitute other names and agencies, and in this so- 
called substitution we apprehend one of the chief dan- 
gers of our present time. These builders of the hu- 
man temple would set at naught the chief corner- 
stone of our salvation. They would substitute moral 
principles and examples, science and philosophy, ra- 
tionalistic criticism and socialistic theories, sophistical 
arguments and pretending philanthropy, but all such 
influences and systems, no matter how plausible, are 
limited by the horizon of time and have no effects 
upon the hereafter. They exalt the material above the 
spiritual and embellish only the outward life and leave 
the soul untouched and unsaved. They are a delusion 
and a snare to their followers. Soul salvation is found 
in only one name. The minister may exalt himself, the 
priest may hide his Savior, the ritual may shut out 
the truth, and sectarianism dishonor God; but there 



NO OTHER NAME 67 

is salvation in only one name. Christ is the Way, the 
Life and the Truth; no man cometh unto the Father 
save by him. He is the one only foundation. He is 
the only hope of glory. He is the door into the sheep- 
fold, and if a man climb up any other way he is a 
thief and a robber. Other names may stand for a 
boasted progress, but the final question will not be 
whether we have made improvement, but have we 
been saved: Not whether we have grown in intel- 
lectual power and social position, but have our sins 
been washed away by the blood of the Lamb. When 
we affirm that Christ alone can save we do not deny 
that other agencies may improve mankind, but they do 
not save. They may not be open opponents of Christ, 
but they leave the heart uncleansed. 

The statesman may assume that human government 
is the balm of Gilead for the world's woes, yet all his- 
tory demonstrates that this theory will not bring relief. 
It may restrain and protect, but it will not reform. 
Laws may dictate and control, but they will not 
cleanse and save. If punishment was reformatory 
then the criminals of our penitentiaries would be virtu- 
ous citizens. One form of government may be bet- 
ter than another, but all forms have been inadequate 
to suppress vice and save from sin. What did the 
dynasties of Egypt accomplish? Were the monarchies 
of Babylonia and Persia sufficient? How about the 
autocracies of Russia and Turkey? Have the better 
governments like England and America delivered soci- 
ety from its vices ? Is France holier as a republic than 



68 SOUL SAVING 

she was as an empire? Examine the history of all 
governments and tell me is salvation from sin within 
the reach of civil law? Laws may regulate, but they 
cannot purify the heart from which action springs. 
Our splendid government, the best on earth, would 
soon fall to pieces were it not backed by the sentiment 
of Christian people. Salvation is of God and not of 
the civil government. 

The Educator may claim a universal system of edu- 
cation as the remedy for vice. He may set self-culture 
as the chief glory of man. But what about the Golden 
Age of Greece? What about the intellectual culture 
of India? Has not his idea been tested and proved 
inadequate? Has not vice in its most hideous forms 
existed in the midst of communities where the highest 
honor was paid to intellectual culture? Knowledge 
may admit us to the secrets of nature, enable us to 
make the rocks, the plants, the stars our companions, 
and open up to us the richest treasures of the mightiest 
intellects of the world, but this knowledge will not 
regenerate the heart and change man's moral nature. 
Did wisdom save Solomon from vice? Did culture 
save Byron from immorality? Did philosophy save 
Bacon from bribery? Did poetry save Poe from in- 
temperance? Were the Athenians free from vice? 
What though culture attained such a height in Athens 
that the scholars of the world flocked thither to pluck 
the choice flowers that blossomed in her gardens of 
wisdom? What though art attained such a height 
that the birds of Attica pecked at the grapes which 



NO OTHER NAME 69 

Appelles painted on the canvas? What though the 
philosophers plumed their wings to soar aloft with 
the boldest intellectual spirits of the world? Yet the 
Athenians were corrupt at heart and sighed for a 
Savior to save them from their sins. 

The Benefactor may lay claim to philanthropy as 
the efficient remedy for vice. I grant that well di- 
rected charity may help to improve the general condi- 
tion of man, but it will not save from sin. All hail to 
asylums and hospitals and benevolent institutions! 
But are not most of these institutions the result of sin ? 
If the pride of France and Russia are in the foundling 
hospitals then greater the shame, for the little chil- 
dren therein were born out of the sanctity of mar- 
riage. 

Go tell the poor in the slums of our cities, or the 
wage-earner in the factory, or the mechanic in the 
shop, or the clerk in the store, or the tiller of the soil 
on the farm, that to be saved he must be educated 
and understand philosophy and science ; he must study 
the laws of the nation and obey them; he must apply 
to benevolent institutions and receive the benefactions 
and aid of philanthropists ; and he will mock and laugh, 
hiss and despair and turn away, helpless and hopeless. 
But go tell him of Jesus the Christ, the only Savior 
of man, and you will bring to him a new hope that 
will reform his life, purify his thoughts, from whence 
cometh all the issues of life. 

Jesus did not come as a statesman, and yet he 
taught, "Render unto Caesar the things that are 



70 SOUL SAVING 

Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." 
He did not come as a schoolmaster, and yet in him was 
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 
He did not come as philanthropist, and yet he went 
about doing good. He looked upon Rome and saw 
that law had failed; he looked upon Athens and saw 
that culture had failed; He looked upon China and 
saw that filial obedience and benevolence had failed 
and He at once set about to do what as yet had never 
been done, viz: to reform the heart. "Ye must be 
born again." "Blessed are the pure in heart for they 
shall see God." What he did was more lasting than 
the founding of schools, giving of laws and building 
of benevolent institutions. He struck at the root of 
the troubles of man. The curse of man is sin, and 
he came to save from sin — its power, its influence, its 
guilt and its punishment. Sin is no small thing, or 
Christ would not have come from heaven and suf- 
fered loneliness, disgrace, shame, and died upon the 
cross to save us from sin unless there was need of it. 
It is a loathesome and terrible thing, or God would 
not have given his Son to be our Savior. It is so 
terrible in its effects that it is ruinous to the soul; so 
terrible in its punishment that Jesus said of those who 
would not accept of his salvation, "That they should 
depart as a curse into everlasting fire prepared for the 
devil and his augels." Now, Christ came to save men 
and his name is Jesus, which signifies that he shall 
save the people from their sins. He blots out the in- 
iquities of man and remembers them no more. No mat- 



NO OTHER NAME 71 

ter how great the sinner, Christ is able to save. He 
saved Manasseh, who was guilty of blood ; David, who 
was guilty of adultery ; Alary Magdaline, out of whom 
he cast seven devils ; Paul, who persecuted the church. 
There are no greater sinners in the world than some 
of those named in the Bible who were saved by the 
name of Christ Jesus. Oh, what encouragement! 
There is salvation "in his name." He is willing and 
able to save the worst sinner, the hardest sinner, the 
oldest sinner, the most inexcusable sinner. 

His call is, "Come unto me." His demand is, "Sin 
no more." His command is, "Go preach the Gos- 
pel." He turns men from sin to righteousness and 
from Satan to God. He transforms the human soul 
into his own likeness. He gives what man cannot give, 
the pardon of sins. He is the only foundation upon 
which to build for eternity. His name and his name 
alone will reconcile to God. His name alone, and 
not culture, not systems of philosophy, not houses of 
mercy, not the laws of statesmen, will regenerate men. 
His name, and not that of the priest, will bring man 
into fellowship with God. You might as well dismiss 
all other hopes and philosophies and names and accept 
"the only name that is given under heaven by which 
men can be saved." "He that receiveth me receiveth 
him that sent me." "Whosoever shall confess me be- 
fore men, him shall I confess before my Father which 
is in heaven." "He that believeth hath the witness in 
himself." 

It is a glorifying name. We are told that every 



72 SOUL SAVING 

tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the 
glory of the Father. The acknowledgment of the glory 
of Jesus Christ is the acknowledgment of the Father's 
glory. They who receive Christ receive him that sent 
him. Honor paid him is honor paid to the Father. 
This is not only a glorifying name, but a name that 
admits to glory. It is the pass-word into heaven. 
Those who come from the East and the West and sit 
down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, come in the 
name of Christ. The bronzed nations of the South 
and the pallid nations of the North shall come in his 
name, and in his name shall receive their reward. 
Those who give a cup of cold water or minister to a 
wounded soldier, or rescue a street waif from de- 
struction, or teach a little child about Jesus, in the 
name of Jesus, will receive their reward. Christ, the 
conqueror, will say: "Thou hast been faithful over a 
few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." 
To see Christ in his glory is the desire of all Chris- 
tians. He prayed that his disciples might be where 
he was, that they might see him in his glory. Oh, 
blessed Jesus, glory be to thy name forevermore! 

Christian, tell me, have you not found in this name 
a hive full of honey, a garden full of flowers, a sun 
that always shines, a fountain that never ceases, a 
friend that never forsakes, and a Savior that is able 
to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by 
him. Then should you not rejoice in the name of this 
Jesus? Rejoice that you have believed in this name, 
that you have confessed this name, that you have 



NO OTHER NAME 73 

been baptized in this name, that you have put on this 
name, that you wear this name, that you have been 
justified by this name, that when you suffer, you 
suffer in this name, and whatsoever you do, whether 
in word or deed, you do all in the name of Christ. 
Rejoice that he has given to you the privilege of 
praying in his name, for he has said, "That what- 
soever ye shall ask in my name that the Father will 
give you." Rejoice that he names your name and has 
written it down in the Lamb's Book of Life, and that 
he calleth his own sheep by name. Rejoice, that you 
are a Christian and at last will triumph over death and 
enter heaven. Rejoice, that you are permitted to work 
in the name of Christ for the salvation of souls. Well 
may that name be inscribed upon the tablets of your 
heart, imprinted upon the pages of your memory ; sound 
it out often, sound it out well, sound it out in the high- 
ways and byways, in the valleys and on the hill-tops, 
till every flower shall bloom with it, every field shall 
be aglow with it, every river shall flow with it, every 
home shall be gladdened with it, and every heart shall 
respond to its appeal of welcome. 

To the unsaved, today his name is preached to you ; 
today in his name is salvation sent to you. Oh, will 
you not believe on his name, confess- his name, and 
obey the commandments that have been given to you 
in his name? Will you not name the name of Christ 
that you may be saved and that you may gain the 
final victory; that you may enjoy the pardon of your 
sins and possess the hope of eternal salvation, for he 



74 SOUL SAVING 

is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. 
Hear his closing, ringing words: "Blessed are they 
that wash their robes, that they may have the right 
to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the 
gates into the city." Have you not heard of the power 
that is in that name, as was once witnessed in a 
telling scene on the London bridge ? A poor, old blind 
man, reading from the raised letters of his Bible, 
during the swinging of the bridge, to let a boat pass 
by on the Thames River below, came to the words 
of our text, "For there is salvation in no other name." 
A large crowd had gathered around him and was 
listening reverently. A blatant infidel stood on the 
outer edge of the crowd and heard that sentence. The 
blind man seemed to have lost the place, and again he 
read, "There is salvation in no other name." "No other 
name." The open bridge swung together and the 
crowd passed on, the infidel going to his home with 
that one sentence ringing in his ears. "There is sal- 
vation in no other name." He retired to his room, 
and the sentence clung to him still. In his dreams he 
saw the blind man and heard that sentnece. It was 
first in his waking thoughts. He pondered over it 
during the morning, sought out the blind man to learn 
from what book of the Bible he had read it, and in 
his meditation upon that name and his search of the 
Scriptures he found salvation in Jesus. And today, 
to every soul that has not received this salvation we 
proclaim that name to you as the transcendant name, 
the comforting name, the conquering name, the pre- 



NO OTHER NAME 75 

cious name, the saving name, the glorifying name. 
Will you not name this name in your heart and life till 
salvation shall ring throughout your soul ? 

No other name, no other name, 

Ringing down aisles of time ; 
No other name, no other name 

With such a melodious chime. 
Clearer in note, purer in tone 

Because it is ringing for all 
Oh, sweet is the music, listen again ! 

Can you hear it — the gospel call? 

No other name, no other name, 

All through the record of years; 
No other name, no other name, 

Let it ring like a bell in your ears. 
Ringing for sorrow or ringing for joy 

Your choice the tone of the bell. 
Oh, make it a song of joy to your soul 

And rest in the peace, "All is well." 

No other name, no other name, 

You hear it wherever you go; 
No other name, no other name — 

His love hath made it so. 
That you might know life thro' eternity 

He died on the cross, suffered shame ; 
Oh, how can you tarry, he's calling for you, 

There's no other name, no other name! 

Nina V. Brandt. 



THE FACE OF JESUS 

"They shall see His face." — Rev. 22 :4. 

The human face is like a stage with many actors: 
Love appears and tells its story ; then hate expresses its 
feelings of animosity. Joy glows for a moment; then 
grief follows with tears. Coufidence walks in san- 
guine expectation, then despair dejects the counte- 
nance. Courage with its buoyancy, is followed by 
cringing cowardice. Pride struts in triumph, then 
humility abases. Sometimes all the passionate actors 
crowd their light into the countenance, and this is 
called inspiration. When the actors pass from the 
stage and the emotions make no further records and 
the last curtain falls upon the scenes of activities, the 
soul then quits the abode of the flesh, and it is said, 
"he is dead." 

It is an inspiration to see the face of a great man. 
Let it be announced that a King or President is to ap- 
pear, and excursions from afar bring thousands of 
people to the scene of his appearance that they may 
behold his face. Someone said it was worth crossing 
the ocean to see the face of Gladstone. When think- 
ing of the departed ones we long to see their faces. 
We care but little about the texture of their glorified 
bodies, but we are anxious to see their dear, familiar, 



78 SOUL SAVING 

loving faces. The thought cheers and sustains us as 
we travel along the straight and narrow way that 
leads to eternal life, but there is a thought that is 
more cheerful ; a desire more intense ; a hope more ele- 
vating; an expectation more delightful — the seeing of 
our Savior. We are assured in the text that we shall 
see his face. 

There were no paintings of Jesus prior to the 
eighth century. During the early centuries he was 
represented by symbols. Moses striking the rock was 
a representation of Christ, who said, "If any man 
thirst let him come unto me and drink-" In the sac- 
rifice of Abraham was seen the gift of the dearly be- 
loved Son of God. The picture of the fish was to 
draw attention to him who called men to become fish- 
ers of men. The vine was the symbol of him who 
said, "I am the vine." The cross was supposed to 
fasten the thoughts upon its willing victim. The shep- 
herd was an emblem of the Good Shepherd. But be- 
ginning about the eighth century, artists began to paint 
the pictures of Christ, and from that day, to this, it 
has been the ambition of the great artists to paint the 
face of Jesus or some scene in his life. To paint the 
infant Jesus ; to paint the youthful Jesus ; to paint the 
ministering Jesus; to paint the Lord as the Teacher 
of the multitude ; to paint the miracle-working Savior ; 
to paint the crucified Jesus ; to paint the risen and as- 
cending Lord, and the various scenes and events in his 
life, has been the ambtiion of the artists of the world. 
We are much indebted for what artists have done for 



THE FACE OF JESUS 79 

the world in the production of Christ in art. Many of 
them present vivid conceptions of the events in his 
life. It was said that a little girl, looking upon "Christ 
Before Pilate" wanted to be lifted up that she might 
untie his hands. Many a poor soul has been cheered 
by looking upon the great painting of "Christ the Con- 
soler," by Ary Schaffer. Hoffman, Tissot, Reubens 
and other artists have painted many scenes in the 
life of our Savior ; masterpieces that cannot be studied 
without having the emotions stirred to the very depths ; 
masterpieces that have strongly impressed the grandeur 
of Christ's character upon the world ; masterpieces that 
have turned the thoughts of men to Jesus; master- 
pieces that have placed Christ as the greatest historic 
personage of the world pre-eminent in art. Valuable 
as are these masterpieces they have fallen far short 
of presenting the real face of Jesus to us. Every 
artist in painting the portrait of Christ depicts him 
as a great benevolent character of the nation to which 
the artist belongs. Thus the German paints him as 
as a German; the Frenchman as a Frenchman; the 
Italian as an Italian, and the American as an Ameri- 
can. It teaches us the valuable lesson that Christ is 
the desire of all nations and the Savior of all men, 
especially unto them that believe. There were no 
paintings of the face of Jesus Christ and no descrip- 
tion of his appearance left to the world — not a line 
to tell how the lowly Galilean looked when he walked 
amongst men. Was it because the disciples had for- 
gotten how he appeared, or was it because they shrank 



80 SOUL SAVING 

from any material representation of Jesus, or was it 
because they never thought of him after seeing him 
glorified as the patient sufferer wandering upon the 
earth, or was the picture and description withheld for 
fear men would worship the seen, instead of the un- 
seen, or was it because they had his presence with 
them, which no artist could paint, no pen describe, and 
which, is far better than to have his picture upon can- 
vas and his description in the pocket. Jesus Christ 
in the heart and not upon perishing material is the 
supreme consideration, and yet, the Scriptures tell us 
some of the experiences of the face of Jesus. 

Luke records, "And it came to pass, when the time 
should come when he should be raised up, he stead- 
fastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." Notwith- 
standing the bloody history of Jerusalem! notwith- 
standing the sins of the capital city of the Jews ; not- 
withstanding Jesus knew they were plotting to kill 
him, and that he would soon be tried, condemned, 
mocked, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Notwith- 
standing he would be compelled to trod the winepress 
alone and bear the cross and be crucified as a felon 
between two thieves, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 
Evangelist Chapman, to whom we are indebted for 
several suggestions on this subject, says : "As a 
picture, there is nothing more beautiful in art; as 
a sentiment, nothing more pathetic ; as a revelation, 
nothing more touching." He set his face toward Je- 
rusalem as a conqueror of sin, death and Hades. 

Still another picture : When he entered the Garden 



THE FACE OF JESUS 81 

of Gethsemane, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 
"Oh, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass 
from me ; nevertheless, not as T will, but as Thou 
wilt." Why this agonizing cry? Was it because he 
knew he would have to suffer alone ; or was the curse 
of man's sin so heavy ; or was it that he was to be 
betrayed by one of his disciples, and denied by anoth- 
er ; or was it because it seemed as if the Father would 
withdraw his face. We do not know the depths of 
the soul anguish that produced this cry, but we are as- 
sured that "he was bruised for our iniquities, that 
the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by 
his stripes we are healed." 

There is another picture of the face of Jesus in con- 
nection with his trial. We are told how they buffeted 
him and smote him with the palms of their hands, and 
cried out, "Prophesy now, thou Christ, who is he that 
smote thee?" And then they did spit in his face, 
declaring he was worthy of death. Notwithstanding 
his innocence and the injustice of his trial and the 
blasphemy of priests and soldiers, Jesus maintained a 
majestic silence. Think of him, with the thunder- 
bolts of heaven in his hand ! Think of him, as the 
Ancient of Days ! Think of him by whom the worlds 
were made ! Think of him upholding all things by 
his power, and yet in the presence of a howling mob 
who smote him and spit in his face, remaining silent. 

Another picture of his face : When he was hang- 
ing upon the cross they watched him there. The sun 
refused to shine upon his face, but the priests and 



82 SOUL SAVING 

soldiers and mob that followed looked upon his face, — 
now, ligthened up by serene peace as he prayed for 
his persecutors, forgave the penitent thief, provided a 
home for his mother, and now displaying intense pain 
as he cried for a draught to quench his thirst; now 
displaying his depths of sorrow as he cried out, "My 
God! My God! and hast Thou forsaken me?" No 
wonder the centurion in looking upon his face, smote 
his breast and said, "Truly this man is righteous ; truly 
he is the Son of God." 

Another picture of his face will be seen in the here- 
after. We have hints of it in the present, for God 
who commanded the light to shine out of darkness 
has shone in our hearts and will give the light of the 
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus 
Christ. John declares, "They shall see his face." 
John, the beloved disciple, wrote this Scripture upon 
the lonely isle of Patmos, — an island in the East Medi- 
terranean surrounded by the seas, — an island bleak 
and barren as death. In John's loneliness he recalled 
his intimate fellowship and travels with Jesus for a 
period of three years. Above all other things he 
loved to be in the presence of Jesus and hear him 
speak and to look into his face; into that face, now 
expressive of infinite tenderness as he had compas- 
sion upon the multitude ; now expressive of marvelous 
affection as he blessed the little children; now ex 
pressive of wonderful power as he commanded the 
winds and waves to obey him; now expressive of 
truth as he taught his disciples, and now expressive 



THE FACE OF JESUS 83 

of his divinity as he healed the sick and raised the 
dead. The beloved disciple had seen the face of 
Jesus when he walked upon the waves, when he sub- 
dued the storm, when he healed those possessed of 
divers diseases, when he taught the crowds that 
thronged about him, when he was transfigured on 
the Mount, when he instituted the Lord's Supper, 
when he bore the cross, when he was crucified, when 
he gave the Great Commission, and ascended to glory, 
and now, on the Isle of Patmos, as a lonely exile, John 
recalled the face of Jesus that he had seen so oft 
and longed to see it again in its wisdom and love, 
majesty and power. From the picture of Christ's 
face that lingered in John's memory and was engraved 
upon his heart, he turned to the future, to look for- 
ward and upward to heaven. He yearned to see his 
face again and gave expression to his hope as if to 
say the highest joy of heaven will be to see the face 
of Jesus, reiterating the words of the Psalmist, "As 
for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness. I shall 
be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." The 
fullest revelation is not in the present, but in the 
future. We long to see the faces of our friends. We 
appreciate the warm hand-shake, but if the face was 
hidden from our sight, our joy would be greatly les- 
sened. 

There are many faces in heaven we shall be de- 
lighted to see — illustrious inhabitants, just spirits made 
perfect and glorified. I have often thought I would 
like to see the face of Moses, the great law-giver of 



84 SOUL SAVING 

Israel; of David, the sweet singer of Israel; of Elijah, 
who ascended in the triumphant chariot; of John, the 
beloved disciple ; of Paul, the great apostle ; of great 
men like Huss, Knox, Luther, Campbell, and others. 
And then there are nearer ones. Those who labored 
side by side in the Master's vineyard who had been 
called up higher to join the ransomed amongst the glo- 
rified saints of God, and still nearer ones, those be- 
loved that have gone out from my own home — how 
blessed will be the sight of them! I should like to 
see the face of father and mother, brothers and sis- 
ters, of my own children, and the beloved companion 
of my youth. I saw these faces for many years ; saw 
them fade away in the pallor of death, and it will be 
a great joy and a crown of glory to see them again ; 
but the greatest joy and greatest glory will be to see 
the face of Jesus. It seems to me, it will be the first 
face that we shall behold in rising from the dead. 
May we not hope to see it in the mystic moments of 
our awakening? What was the first sight that met 
the eye of Peter when he awoke from his prison cell? 
Was it not the angel of the Lord? What the first 
sight that met the waking eye of Lazarus when his 
departed soul, dazzling with wonder, reinhabited his 
body and come forth from the grave? Was it not 
the face of Jesus? What was the first sight that 
Jairus' daughter saw when she sat up in the presence of 
Jesus? Was it not the soul's Awakener? It would 
have been a great joy to see our Lord when here on 
earth ; to have seen him as the apostles saw him ; 



THE FACE OF JESUS 85 

to have seen him as he walked to and fro, in the land 
of Bible song and story; to have seen him as a child 
growing in wisdom and in stature and in favor with 
God and man; to have seen him in the midst of his 
ministry as he toiled and taught for thankless men; 
as he sat careworn at the well of Jacob; as he com- 
forted the sorrowing; as he forgave the penitent sin- 
ner ; as he bowed in Gethsemane ; as he hung upon the 
cross ; as he arose from the dead ; but greater will be 
our joy when we see him in the land immortal. It 
will not be a mere hearing, of him, though hearing is a 
great blessing for faith cometh by hearing, but seeing 
is far better. A beautiful description of some fair 
landscape is interesting, but the best description fails 
before the beholding of the landscape itself. Even 
so the gospel story of Jesus will seem insignificant in 
comparison to seeing him face to face. We are as- 
sured that we shall know him. We will need no in- 
troduction to him. He will be no stranger to us. We 
shall understand him and read his heart as never be- 
fore. Here sin obscures our vision, sorrow hinders 
our understanding, worldly pursuits dim our true 
knowledge of him, but yonder these things shall not 
keep us from seeing him, knowing him; it will be an 
abiding vision, a lasting sight — not a fleeting vision, 
but one that endures that all may enjoy, for we are 
told that our joy shall remain. "We shall see him." 
It is only natural that we should desire to see the coun- 
tenance of one whose works we have read, and whose 
friends we have often met, and who is often in our 



86 SOUL SAVING 

thoughts and affections. It is but natural that there 
should be a longing to see any one of whom we have 
read much, and of whom we have thought more. Is 
it, then, surprising that when the heaven of the saint 
is described it should be represented as a sight of a 
personal Christ? Yes, we shall see the Christ of the 
scriptures, the Christ of whom Moses and the prophets 
spake. We shall see also the Christ of our own 
thoughts. There is not a believer but has his ideal 
Savior. We shall see him — a living, personal Savior. 
We shall see him as a persoanl Savior and in thus 
seeing him we shall not see our sins. That we shall 
actually forget them is impossible, but that the re- 
membrance of them will not be grievous to us, and 
the burden will not be intolerable for we shall be 
cleansed from them and they shall be remembered 
against us no more. We shall be brands that were 
plucked from the burning, cleansed by the blood of 
Christ, and know that the effect of our seeing him face 
to face is an evident token of our salvation and of our 
belonging to him. "We shall see him as he is." Jesus 
has been beheld as we shall never behold. We shall 
never see him as the Magi saw him — the infant; we 
shall never see him as the disciples saw him — so tired 
out that he was sound asleep on the open deck of a 
fisherman's boat; we shall never see him, the cursed 
Substitute, groaning under the horrible load of his 
people's sins — but as he is now, highly exalted. Take 
the most blessed season earth has ever known, and it 
is only seeing Christ through a glass darkly. And 



THE FACE OF JESUS 87 

these feebler manifestations are never as clear as they 
might be. I question whether there has ever been a 
saint but has had in some measure a veil over his soul. 
The veil may vary in thickness. Sometimes it is dense 
and dark as a London fog, and at other times it 
seems no more hindrance than the thinnest gauze. All 
the clouds that dim our earthly horizon shall be swept 
away, and we shall see him in glory and be enabled the 
more clearly to understand the workings of his prov- 
idence, the plan of his redemption, and his eternal pur- 
pose for men. 

How shall he appear? What expression shall 
his face wear? It seems to me it shall wear the 
look of welcome. Could we enter heaven with our 
present feelings — oppressed with our shortcomings, 
fearful of being rejected, the accusations of Satan 
hovering over us, instantly these things would vanish 
as we would see him face to face. The face of wel- 
come would bespeak the words, "Come, ye blessed of 
my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you 
from the foundation of the world." 

It will wear the look of love; not merely of clem- 
ency, but of the love that shall remind us of the 
yearning love of a mother, of the expression of sym- 
pathy of a brother in the hour of adversity, the love 
depicted on the face of a blessed companion in the 
days of weakness, of the love upon the face of the 
innocent child, of the love upon the face of the saint 
of venerable age, of the love, deep and pure and so 
high that all estimate shall be unworthy. As all the 



88 SOUL SAVING 

rays of the sun center in the sun so shall all expres- 
sions of love meet in the glorified face of Christ, thus 
enabling us to cry out with David, "Thy love is won- 
derful!" 

It will wear the look of triumph — full and complete 
satisfaction. Not the triumphant look of the earthly 
victor that has traveled through a sea of blood to win 
the name of conqueror, but the triumphant look that 
will exhibit his power over sin, death and Hades. It 
will be the triumph of justice, the triumph of love, 
the triumph of salvation, the triumph of glory. Notice 
the one joy of this sight — we shall be like him. Take 
it first in body. He shall transform our vile bodies 
like unto his glorified body, thus like the body of Jesus 
we are led to believe our glorified body will be. It 
shall pass through a great change — no longer carnal, 
but spiritual; not corrupt, but incorrupt; not earthly, 
but heavenly ; not weak, but powerful ; not a hinderer, 
but a helper of the soul, formed and moulded for the 
habitation of the perfected spirit, to execute the will 
of God for the glory of God, and as with the cor- 
poreal so with the spiritual nature of man. We shafl 
be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Every- 
thing assimilates to what it is conversant. If a man 
dwells on sin he will grow to the type of that sin. If 
a man fixes his eye upon Jesus he will grow like Jesus. 
We are like him here on earth in a minor degree. The 
more we commune with him the more are we like him. 
Now, if seeing him through a glass darkly makes us 
like him, will not seeing him face to face in all his 



THE FACE OF JESUS 89 

glory make us altogether like him, when the poor, 
green bud shall be brought into the sunshine of his 
countenance in glory, in a moment, in the twinkling of 
an eye, will the leaves that hide its beauty separate and 
admit the flowers of loveliness expand in the light of 
heaven and make us like him. 

It will constrain us to worship him. Being made 
like him, partakers of the completeness of his nature, 
with facilities perfected, with mysteries made clear, 
with the assurance of his abiding presence, with the 
joyful consummation of our faith and hope, shall we 
not do as did John on the Isle of Patmos, bow down 
in humble worship and adoration of the Lamb who is 
worthy to receive honor, power, and glory and do- 
minion forever and ever. 

This hope should be an inspiration to us — an in- 
spiration to toil for those whom we love ; an inspira- 
tion to work with renewed zeal for the redemption of 
man; an inspiration that will sustain us in the hour of 
temptation ; an inspiration that will encourage us in our 
growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord, Jesus 
Christ. 

If great and glorious will be the effect to the dis- 
ciple of the Lord in seeing the face of Jesus, what 
will be the terrible effect and consequences to those 
who love him not? The wicked shall see him, for we 
are told that even the eyes of them that pierced him 
shall see him, but they shall feel no joy at his pres- 
ence. They would rather not see his face. They 
shall not be able to stand in the congregation of the 



90 SOUL SAVING 

righteous. They cannot look upon his face, for it shall 
be turned against them that do wickedly and their 
poor, lost souls shall cry out to the mountains and 
rocks, "Fall upon us, and hide us from his face." 
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat 
upon it, from whose face the heaven and the earth 
fled away, and there was found no place for them." 
That face, that once offered pardon full and free; 
that face, while on earth, that spoke the invitation to 
come and find rest for the weary soul; is now turned 
against them that do evil. Against them that slighted 
the invitation and trampled under foot the blood of 
the covenant. It will be a face, to the wicked, that will 
overpower them until they shall stand condemned in 
his presence. The one without the wedding garments 
shall stand speechless. Sad, sad, will be the resurrec- 
tion of the wicked in coming forth to see the face of 
Jesus, that they smote by their sins and disobedience 
on earth, and that now in glory is turned only to the 
righteous, for the eyes of the Lord are over the right- 
eous and his ears are open to their prayers, but his 
face is against the wicked. Ah, let him that hath 
ears to hear take heed how he hears. Would you see 
Jesus face to face in heaven? You must see him by 
faith while on earth. Would you stand in his pres- 
ence in heaven? You must sit at his feet on earth. 
Would you be a glorified saint over there ? You must 
be a humble disciple here. Would you see the look of 
welcome, of love, of triumph cast upon you and for 
you? You must look unto Jesus and be saved during 



THE FACE OF JESUS 91 

your earthly pilgrimage. I remember once of going 
a long distance to attend an important meeting led by 
a great evangelist, but on arriving I found that I was 
too late. The great auditorium was filled with an 
eager throng and the doors were shut. As I walked 
about and heard the singing, I thought suppose it 
should be so at last, when I go to the gates of heaven. 
Suppose I would be too late, and find the everlasting 
doors to eternal glory were closed forever. Is it any 
wonder that the five foolish virgins knocked loud and 
long and cried in the depths of their bitterness, 'Lord, 
Lord, open unto us." Sad, sad the response, "Depart 
from me ; I know ye not !" Oh, ye immortal souls look 
in faith while it is day. Ye mortals hastening to the 
tomb look while ye may! Look, hearken, obey and 
live with Jesus while on earth that you may pass 
safely over the river of death and on the resurrection 
morning awake to be with him for evermore ! 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 

''Pilate saith unto them, 'What shall I do with Jesus, 
which is called Christ?'" — Matt. 27:22. 

This is the question that Governor Pilate asked the 
High Priests about King Jesus. Have you studied the 
celebrated painting, "Christ Before Pilate," by Mun- 
kaczy? If not, perhaps you have seen a copy of the 
original. The artist has given a vivid conception of 
the scene. It occurs in the open court before the pal- 
ace. At one end, sitting on a raised bench, dressed in 
the customary white Roman toga, is the Governor, his 
smoothly shaven face, closely cut hair, and stout form 
all characteristic of the Roman commander. He looks 
out from under his heavy brow, casting furtive glances 
as if to notice every movement that will enable him to 
render a decision that will make him most popular. 
At his right, with his back against the wall, is a Scribe 
with countenance expressive of contempt. In front 
are some Pharisees, to urge the death of Jesus, look- 
ing as if to say, "I thank God that I am not as this 
man is." Caiaphas is there, with his priestly robes, 
ready to accuse Christ. Standing around is a brutal 
mob, ready to cry out, "Away with him, and crucify 
him !" A stalwart Roman soldier stands with his back 
to the spectator, barricading the people with a spear 



94 SOUL SAVING 

which he holds horizontally. Another fellow is ges- 
ticulating wildly and crying out, as if he was express- 
ing the sentiment of the multitude, to condemn and 
crucify Christ. To the right, standing against a pillar, 
is the face of a gentle woman, with an infant in her 
arms, as if to represent the daughters of Jerusalem 
who followed Jesus to Calvary, or to represent the 
gentleness of woman in the coming Kingdom of 
heaven; but all the figures seem to pale before the 
eyes for the look at Christ, who stands in the fore- 
ground, with a seamless white robe, with wrists firmly 
bound, with the composure of one who is able at any 
time to summons to his aid twelve legions of angels, 
with submissive yet manly courage, with countenance 
full of serenity, peace and love, as if to say, "Father, 
forgive them: they know not what they do;" with 
a majestic silence and kingly serenity that reveals the 
might and power of the Savior of men, who is able to 
decide the fate of nations, change the course of history, 
to lift himself above the scorn and bitterness of his 
enemies. 

Pilate, on the judgment seat, with inward hatred of 
the priests who have accused Christ, but yet with a 
desire not to offend them, is greatly perplexed and 
disturbed over the kind of verdict to render and sen- 
tence to pronounce upon the head of the celebrated 
prisoner. After repeated efforts to release him, he 
asks the most important question that has ever been 
asked by man: "What shall I do with Jesus which 
is called Christ." It was the pre-eminent question for 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 95 

both Pilate and the Jews, and it has been the pre-emi- 
nent question during the centuries that have passed 
away since the famous trial, and it is pre-eminently 
the question of the present age. All the great ques- 
tions of our times — social, political, and theological, 
lead to this question and find their solution in the an- 
swer to the inquiry, "What shall I do with Jesus?" 
There have been great questions of tariff, of navy, of 
treasury, of protection, of finance, but these questions 
are but tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum in comparison 
with the Governor's question. There are great ques- 
tions for every nation and every individual, but the 
Governor's question is the greatest question for na- 
tions and individuals to decide. It is the question that 
is commanding more thought, moving more pens, ex- 
citing more interest than all the other great questions 
in the world. This Christ stands as the pre-eminent 
figure in History, in Art, in Literature, in Religion. 
It is the pre-eminent question because it involves the 
pardon of sins, and the preparation for eternal life. 
It is an imperative question. Something must be done 
with Christ. There is no neutral ground. Pilate en- 
deavored to occupy a neutral position. He tried to 
take no part one way or the other. He tried to assume 
a position neither against the accused nor the accusers. 
He tried at the same time to satisfy his conscience and 
his honor. He tried to satisfy both the priests and 
the Christ, but did he occupy neutral ground? Jesus 
was at the bar of Governor Pilate ; later, on Pilate 
stood at the bar of King Jesus. 



96 SOUL SAVING 

Some try to occupy Pilate's ground, but once for all 
let it be known there is jio neu tral ff rrmr> d It is im- 
perative that the body be fed or it will die, and it is 
just as imperative that the soul feed upon Christ, or 
it will meet with eternal death. The taxes must be 
paid or the property be sold to pay them. The price 
of redemption must be paid in the Gospel of Jesus 
as the Savior, or it will cost the loss of the soul. 
Today with Christ ; eternity with Christ. Today with- 
out Christ; eternity without Christ. 

It is a personal question. It was personal to the Jews. 
It was personal to Pilate. I repeat the question, "What 
shall I do with Jesus?" You repeat the question. 
Place the emphasis upon "I." It is your question as 
well as mine. It is your question as well as Pilate's. 
Jesus Christ is here. He knocks at the door and 
asks to be admitted. He claims to be the Savior of 
man, and asks us to accept him. He claims to be our 
king, and asks the right to rule over us, and each one 
of us must answer the question, "What shall I do with 
him?" It is no dry, withered question that concerns 
some one in a distant land, and in past history, but it 
is a present, impressive, imperative question that throbs 
with quickening pulse and warm heart to every man 
and woman that hears the name of Jesus. It is per- 
sonal to saint and sinner, rich and poor, learned and 
ignorant. Christian and heathen. None can escape 
the responsibility of answering it. Choose ye this 
day whom ye will serve. Work out your own salva- 
tion in fear and trembling. What shall I do with 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 97 

Jesus? Let it come close to your heart. Let the 
question ring in your soul. Answer it you must. 
Answer it without evading the issue. 

It is a troublesome question. It gave so much trou- 
ble to the High Priests that they assembled in their 
highest tribunal to discuss it and to receive suggestions 
as to how to dispose of Jesus. It troubled the Roman 
Governor. He tried hard to dodge the issue, and to 
evade answering the question. Said Pilate : "Take ye 
him, and judge him according to your law." But 
Pilate must give them a hearing and give the accused 
a hearing, and pass judgment. Hear him say, "I find 
in him no fault at all." The sentence displeased them, 
and they were the more fierce, saying, "He stirreth up 
the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning 
from Galilee to this place." When Pilate learned he 
was a Galileean he sent him to Herod, the ruler of 
Galilee, who was then in Jerusalem. Herod was un- 
able to decide the troublesome question, so he returned 
him to Pilate. Pilate is the more troubled, and seeks 
another excuse. "Ye have a custom that I release unto 
you one at the Passover. Whom will ye that I release : 
Barabbas, the robber or Jesus who is called Christ?" 
His heart was the more troubled on receiving a letter 
from his wife, saying, "Have thou nothing to do with 
that just man, for I have suffered many things this 
day in a dream because of him." And the multitude, 
being persuaded by the chief priests and leaders, asked 
for the release of Barabbas. Pilate, more deeply 
troubled, unwilling to decide the question, submits it 



98 SOUL SAVING 

to their dcision, by saying, "What shall I do then with 
Jesus, which is called Christ?" They at once demand- 
ed his crucifixion, and in Pilate's perplexity he saith 
unto them, "Shall I crucify your king?" They reply, 
"We have no king but Caesar, and if you let this man 
go you are no friend of Caesar's." The Governor 
seeing he could prevail nothing washed his hands in 
the presence of the multitude, declaring he was inno- 
cent of the blood of the just man, thinking by such 
an act he would be neither guilty of shedding the blood 
of Jesus nor having part in it, as if the outward wash- 
ing of the hands could clear the inner guilt of co- 
operating in such a dark deed of injustice and dis- 
honor. Lady Macbeth could not wash the murder's 
spots from her conscience; neither was Pilate able to 
clear himself by the washing of his hands. This ques- 
tion has troubled millions of men. Every conceiva- 
ble excuse has been presented to evade answering the 
question. In rejecting Jesus, they have tried, as Pilate, 
to wash off their guilt, but the guilt of the awful sin 
of rejection can never be wiped out. It is an inward 
stain that requires regeneration to cleanse it. It is 
the more troublesome when decision is wilfully made 
against the dictates of conscience and the highest judg- 
ment. Severe must have been Pilate's condemnation 
because he went against his better feelings, willing the 
death of him whom he knew to be innocent. It is a 
more troublesome question for us today, than it was 
for Pilate. We have to answer in full view of what 
Jesus was and did. We have to answer in the light 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 99 

of the centuries that have been beaming down from 
the divine face. We have to answer in the light of 
the accumulated history and experience that testify 
in favor of Christ. This troublesome question may 
stir up a frenzied mob of passions, impulses and sins 
that clamor to give him up for some other idol, and 
yet the question remains, "What shall I do then with 
Jesus?" The more guilty the conscience the more 
troublesome the question, and the more reason we have 
to be brave in its decision. The deeper Pilate went 
into the question the more it troubled him. The bit- 
terness of the accusers, the character of Jesus, the 
message from his wife, the decision of Herod, the 
clamoring of the multitude, the fatality that hinged 
upon the case, all bore heavy upon Pilate, deepened 
his perplexity, and troubled his soul; and, my friend, 
the more you think about it, the more important, im- 
perative, personal and troublesome will this question 
become until you decide it for the salvation of your 
soul. 

Look for a moment at Jesus, which is called the 
Christ, who claims such important consideration. Ex- 
amine his credentials. The prophets bore him testi- 
mony. God gave them power to behold in the dis- 
tance the coming of Jesus, the Christ, to be the Savior 
of the world, to bind up the broken-hearted and to 
proclaim liberty to the captives. Angels bore testi- 
mony to Christ. They announced he should be great 
and should be called the Son of the Highest; 
that he should be born in the City of David, 



100 SOUL SAVING 

and be called the Savior, and Christ the Lord. God 
bore him testimony when he spoke from the heavens 
at the baptism of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, in 
whom I am well pleased. John the Baptist bore him 
testimony, "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh 
away the sins of the world." Peter gave his testimony 
in the great confession, "Thou art the Christ, the 
Son of the living God." Paul gave his testimony when 
he declared that he was willing to count all things but 
dross for the sake of winning Christ. Pilate declared 
he found no fault in him. His wife declared him to be 
a just man. The centurion who crucified him declared 
him to be a righteous man. The centuries stand as a 
cloud of witnesses bearing testimony to his power to 
forgive sins and to save souls. He claims to be the 
one whom God exalted to be a Prince and Savior of 
men. He claims to be the Son of God and the Light 
of the world. He claims to be the one of whom the 
prophets spake, that would be wounded for our trans- 
gressions, bruised for our iniquities, and upon whom 
the chastisement of our peace would be laid. He claims 
to be the one Mediator between God and man, and the 
Judge of the quick and the dead. Possessing such 
important credentials and making such important 
claims adds weight to the question and behooves us 
to give immediate and serious consideration to its an- 
swer. "What shall I do then with Jesus" is the ques- 
tion we drive home today. From the motley crowd 
of friends and foes, Jews and Gentiles, that gathered 
around the figure in the time of Pilate come the chief 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 101 

answers that come from the human heart of today: 
The answer of Rejection came from the fickle multi- 
tude in the cry, "Let him be crucified!" It was the 
cry of prejudice and guilt. The cry is echoed today, 
though in less offensive language: It is the cry of 
the Truth Seekers, the Infidels, the Agnostics, and the 
Philosophic Inquirers. It is a cry that is sometimes 
revealed in poetry and learning, in art and literature- 
It is the cry of the guilty conscience, the impenitent 
heart, and the uncontrolled passion ; no matter in .what 
form it appears, it is the rejection, "Away with him!" 
The answer of Indifference: In the days of Pilate 
there were many indifferent to the claims of Jesus. 
It is echoed today in the vast number who are doing 
nothing with Jesus : who declare they will not be 
pressed into a corner; that they find no fault in him, 
that they have a high regard for the church, but they 
remain indifferent. They assume a vain, shallow, in- 
different attitude because they are too weak to believe 
the truth, and too cowardly to deny it. Indifference 
is an awful cheat and ruinous to the soul:, but can 
there be an indifferent attitude? Is not such an at- 
titude a rejection of Jesus? "He that is not with me 
is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scat- 
tereth abroad." 

The answer of Heroism: In the days of Pilate 
there were those who considered him only a man, and 
not divine. It is echoed today by a considerable class 
of people who accept him as an exalted pattern of hu- 
manity, but not as the Son of God. They deny the 



102 SOUL SAVING 

supernatural, but in so doing they must deny Jesus 
Christ himself — the greatest miracle of history; the 
One of whom it was said, "I am before Abraham." 
He is before all things. The same yesterday, today, 
and forever. In whom are hid all the treasures of 
wisdom and knowledge. To whom all atuhority is 
given in heaven and earth. Who is able to save to 
the uttermost all who come unto God by him. 

The answer of Acceptance: There were several in 
the company who had accepted Jesus as the Son of 
God and the Savior of men, and who were true and 
faihtful when others had forsaken him. It is echoed 
today by millions of followers of Jesus : by those 
who are loving him, obeying him, and serving him. 
This class has been redeemed by his blood, is laying 
up treasures in heaven, is practicing his religion, and 
recommending and preaching it to the world. "What 
shall I do with Jesus?" 

A careful consideration of this question should con- 
vince every reasonable man of the importance of ac- 
cepting Christ as his Savior. Would you have peace 
of conscience? Look to Jesus. "Theferore, being jus- 
tified by faith, we have peace with God through our 
Lord Jesus Christ." Peace of conscience cannot be 
obtained by good works, by prayers and penances, or 
by any other means. It is only through the Lord Jesus 
Christ that this rest for the soul can be obtained- 

The whippings of a guilty conscience have been 
ghosts to more than one poor soul. It woke Brutus 
from his slumbers. It made Macbeth cry out in the 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 103 

night. It led Charles the Ninth, who was responsible 
for St. Bartholomew's Massacre to say, in the dying 
hour: "Oh, if I had only spared the innocent, and 
the imbecile and the crippled !" It led Rasseur to 
declare in his old age that the sins he committed in 
his youth still gave him sleepless nights. It led Charles 
the Second, of Spain, to start at the bitter memories 
of his past wickedness. It led Cardinal Beaufort, who 
slew the Duke of Gloucester, to cry out at midnight, 
"Away! Away! Why do you look at me?" It made 
Richard the Third clutch his sword at the witching 
hour of night, as if to fight apparitions, and cry out 
against his coward conscience. It made Cain cry out 
that his punishment was more than he could bear. It 
made Ahab cry out to the Prophet, "Hast thou found 
me. Oh mine enemy?" It made David tremble before 
the accusation of Nathan. It made Felix tremble be- 
fore the great Apostle's speech on righteousness, tem- 
perance and judgment to come. It made Belshazzar's 
knees smite each other and his teeth to chatter when 
he saw the hand writing on the wall. Would you be 
saved from a conscience recalling unimproved oppor- 
tunities, un forgiven sins, and misspent time? Then 
accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your 
Savior. 

Would you have God accept you and adopt you 
as his own Son? Then you must accept Jesus as 
your Savior. Neither good works, nor loud praying, 
nor public alms-giving will secure the favor of God. 
"He that believeth not on the Son of God is under 



104 SOUL SAVING 

condemnation already, but unto them that are in 
Christ Jesus there is no condemnation, they have 
passed from death unto life." Christ declared, "He 
that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me, and he 
that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me. 

Would you have the assurance of eternal life? This 
cannot be purchased by wealth or obtained by good 
deeds, but only through Christ can eternal life be ob- 
tained. Peter said, "To whom shall we go, Lord, but 
unto thee? Thou hast the words of everlasting life" 
John declares that God has given to us eternal life, 
and this life is in his Son- "He that hath the Son 
hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath 
not life." "Christ has brought life and immortality 
to light through the Gospel." "I am the Resurrection 
and the Life, and he that believeth on me shall never 
die." 

Would you have pardon of sins? Accept Christ. 
To have forgiveness of sins is the source of the deep- 
est joy. Only through Christ will God forgive sins. 
"He is our redemption, even the forigveness of our 
sins." His blood cleanseth from all sins. He came to 
seek and to save the lost. No matter how heavy your 
sins may press upon you, in Christ Jesus there is 
abundance of pardon. "Let the wicked forsake his 
way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let 
him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy 
upon him: and to our God, for he will abundantly 
pardon." Would you escape the wrath of God and 
the doom to come? Accept Christ. In flaming fire 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 105 

God shall take vengeance on them that obey not the 
Gospel of Christ. They shall be punished with an 
everlasting destruction from his presence. Are there 
no Revenges in History? 

History tells us that Pontius Pilate committed sui- 
cide. Tradition tells us that his body was thrown into 
the Tiber, but the storms broke over the river until 
his body was taken out and thrown into the Rhone, 
but the storms swept over its banks until the body was 
taken out and placed in a deep pool at the base of 
Pilatas Bohn, Switzerland. But similar atmospheric,, 
disturbances played about the mountain and over the 
deep basin, as if to testify of the execration with which 
the world looked upon Pilate. Tradition also says 
that every year the spirit of Pilate comes to bathe his 
hands in this pool of water in an effort to cleanse them 
from the guilt of his conscience for condemning 
Christ. In the book, called "Letters from Hell," Pilate 
is represented as going about seeking water to cleanse 
his hands from the guilt of Christ's blood, and forever- 
more crying out in his guilt and shame for condemning 
and not releasing Christ. Pilate tried to be indifferent 
and ne utral. He tried compromise and scourging, but 
at last consented to cruel assassination: but after- 
wards his conscience smote him. The stain of his 
guilt sank deeper into his body and soul until all the 
lavers of Rome could not wash out the blood spots, 
and now he is execrated by the voice of earth and hell 
for his decision against Christ. The Jews cried out, 
"His blood be upon us and upon our children." Pilate 



106 SOUL SAVING 

gave way to them delivering Christ over to be crucified, 
and the revenges of history declare that his blood was 
not only upon those concerned in the deep tragedy, but 
upon their children for ages to come. The Lord heard 
and answered the awful cry even in the place where 
they made it. Thirty-eight years after that terrible 
cry, Herod demanded of the Jews a sum of money to 
build a water course, and upon their refusing he sent 
soldiers secretly who slew great multitudes in the 
very place where they cried, "Let his blood be upon 
us!" It is interesting, though horrible, to follow out 
the life and death of those who participated in that 
awful condemnation: Judas died in the horrors of a 
loathesome suicide. Caiaphas was deposed from his 
presidential chair the next year. Herod died in infamy 
and exile. Pilate, as we have already learned, died in 
banishment and suicide. The house of Annas was de- 
stroyed the next generation by an infuriated mob and 
his son was dragged through the streets, scourged, 
beaten, and martyred. Some of those who shared in 
the scenes of that day, thousands of their children, 
and hundreds of thousands of the inhabitants of Jeru- 
salem were slain by fire and sword, famine and pesti- 
lence, and others led into captivity. They cried out 
for King Caesar to rule over them. Did not Caesar 
after Caesar outrage, pillage, oppress, and rule over 
them with an iron hand ? They had forced the Romans 
to crucify their Christ, and they had regarded that 
method of punishment with a special horror, and with- 
in forty years after the death of Christ, they and their 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 107 

children were crucified in myriads by the Romans, till 
it was declared that room was wanting and wood 
failed, and the soldiers had to invent new forms of 
cruelty and fresh methods of inflicting upon the Jews 
insulting forms of death. They paid thirty pieces of 
silver for the Savior's blood, and now they were them- 
selves being sold in thousands for smaller sums. They 
cried out for Barabbas, the robber, in preference to 
their Messiah, and now the robbers and murderers 
attack and destroy the nation without pity. They cry 
out for the blood of Christ, and now they are staining 
the last pages of their history with their own life- 
blood. In murdering the Christ, they were sharpening 
the ax for their own murder, and in destroying the 
green fruit-bearing tree, they were laying the ax at 
the barren and fruitless tree of the Jewish Nation. 
In branding Christ, they were putting the mark of 
Cain upon the forehead of their own race. In crying 
out, "Away with him, and crucify him!" they were 
sounding the cry to crucify and destroy themselves- 
Was it but an incident in history, or was it the just 
judgment of an Almighty God ! Truly, his blood was 
upon them! Oh, people, why not cry out for the 
efficacious blood of Jesus to be upon your hearts to 
cleanse them from all sin, and your prayer will be 
heard. Would you escape the awful doom of the un- 
righteous, and be saved from the wrath to come? 
Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. 

"What shall I do with Jesus, which is called the 
Christ ?" Can we not put this question in such a man- 



108 SOUL SAVING 

ner as to call forth from your hearts a favorable re- 
sponse ? What are you doing with him as a Teacher ? 
Have you not studied his words? Have you read the 
Sermon on the Mount? Are you not constrained to 
say, as did the people who heard him, "Never man 
spake like this man/' He spake as one having au- 
thority. Do not all the great teachers of the world 
pale before him, as the moon before the rising of the 
sun? Have not millions testified that his teachings 
brought light to their darkened souls, and given an 
answer to their perplexing questions and a solution to 
their difficult problems? 

What are you doing with Jesus as a Savior? He 
came from heaven to earth to save men from sin, with 
its guilt and power. God appointed him for this special 
mission. He proved his ability to save by his teach- 
ings, his life, his miracles, his death, and resurrection, 
and by what he has done in the world in the salvation 
of his people during the past two thousand years. 
Surely then, he is able to save you from your sins, 
and into the favor of God. What are you doing with 
Jesus as the foundation of your eternal hope? He is 
declared to be the foundation of the prophets and the 
apostles. He is the foundation of our acceptance with 
God, — "no man cometh unto the Father save by me," 
says Christ. The foundation of our hope: "We are 
begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection 
of Jesus Christ from the dead." Millions have risked 
all upon this foundation, and have found it strong, 
abiding and precious. Surely, then, you will build 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 109 

your house upon this foundation, that it may stand 
against the storms of sin, Satan, death and judgment ! 
What are you doing with Jesus which is called the 
Christ? What are you doing with him as Prophet, 
Priest and King; as Savior, Shepherd and Friend? 
What are you doing with his blameless character and 
with his spotless life? What are you doing with him 
in your homes, in your society, in your business ? The 
question should come personally to the heart of every- 
one. It is not what others are doing with Jesus, but 
what are you doing with him? What are you doing 
for him who gave his life for you? 

Is there a heart here that was once cleansed by 
his blood; but since that happy day fell from grace, 
and has apostatized from the faith? I appeal to you, 
what have you been doing unto Jesus? Oh, will you 
not return unto him — your first love? Will you not 
come back from your fallen state that you may again 
have peace of conscience, pardon of sins, and hope of 
heaven ? 

Is there a burdened and weary soul here: a soul 
bowed down by the heavy cares of life — a soul that is 
overworked, a soul that is burdened with the sins and 
shame of loved ones, or burdened with the sins of 
inner guilt. I appeal to you, accept Christ with all 
your heart, and dedicate your whole life unto him. 

Is there a business man here who has been fighting 
the battles of business, and found no time for his 
soul salvation? I appeal to you, "seek first the king- 
dom of God and his righteousness, and all these things 



110 SOUL SAVING 

shall be added unto you." Remember the sentence 
on which the finger of Charlemagne was placed when 
his body sat, cold and dead, on the marble chair on 
which kings had been crowned :" "What shall it profit 
a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own 
soul?" 

Is there one here who is cast down and discouraged ? 
One who is lowly and without hope ? One who feels 
that there is no forgiveness? I appeal unto you, 
listen to the words of Jesus, "He that cometh unto 
me I will in no wise cast out." "Whoever will con- 
fess me before men, him will I confess before my Fa- 
ther and the holy angels." Is there one here near to 
the kingdom? Remember Pontius Pilate: he was in 
the presence of Jesus. He was near to the kingdom. 
He came near standing with Joseph of Arimathea 
and with Nicodemus, but alas! he rejected Christ. 
If you are near the kingdom, will you not decide in 
favor of your soul's salvation? Will you not accept 
Jesus as the Christ, the Savior of men? "Enter the 
kingdom while ye may." "Seek the Lord while he 
may be found: Call ye upon him while he is near." 
I appeal to every man, woman and child who hears me, 
what are you doing with Jesus? You are now de- 
ciding the question. You will decide it before you 
pass from my hearing. He comes in all his wondrous 
beauty and mighty power to save. He comes in all 
his love and compassion to have pardon and pity. He 
comes with all his promises and hope to inspire and 
love you. If you will listen to his voice, you will ac- 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 111 

cept him as your Savior. If you will listen to the 
voice of the Spirit of God you will accept him as 
your Savior. If you will listen to the voice of your 
conscience, you will accept him as your Savior. If 
you will listen to the voice of your loved ones, you 
will accept him as your Savior- If you will listen 
to the voice of history, you will accept him as your 
Savior. If you will listen to the voice of heaven, 
you will accept him as your Savior. If you will 
listen to the voices of peace and happiness, you will 
accept him as your Savior. But, Oh, should you 
reject him! Should you decide against him the 
bells of woe shall forever ring over your doom! In 
that awful day for which all days were made, will 
it be said of you, here is a man whom I called, 
and he refused. Here is a woman whom I impor- 
tuned, but she turned away. Here is a child I 
invited, and he came not. Here is a young man 
with whom I pleaded, but he turned against me. Here 
is a young woman at whose door I knocked, but she 
would not open unto me. Hear, ye people ! Halt in 
your onward road to ruin and listen. Of those who 
reject him what shall be done with them on that great 
day ? Will they not be shut out of heaven ? Will they 
not be cast into outer darkness? Will they not be 
banished from the presence of God? Will they not 
have their lot with the fearful and the abominable? 
Will not their sad and bitter wail be for mercy when 
the door of mercy is closed? The invitation is now 
given. Are you going to listen to the voice of cow- 



112 SOUL SAVING 

ardice and reject him? Are you going to listen to the 
voice of greed, and turn against him? Are you going 
to listen to the voice of beastly passion, and cry out, 
"Away with him!" Are you going to listen to the 
voice of Satan, and cry out, "Crucify him I" Are you 
going to listen to the voice of hell, and take your 
stand against him? I pray not, lest the day of grace 
be closed against you. lest your opportunities for salva- 
tion be gone forever; lest Jesus of Nazareth passes 
by, never to return; lest sin hardens your heart and 
death sweeps you into Judgment, where you shall cry 
out, on that great Day when the moon is turned into 
blood and the sun is darkened, to hills and mountains 
to fall upon you and cover you from view, because 
of the unpardoned sins of your life. 

What shall I do with Jesus? Accept him with all 
your heart as the Son of God and the Savior of your 
soul. May the prayers of your sainted mother, con- 
strain you to accept him. May the earnest desires 
of your Christian friends, constrain you to accept him. 
May the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary to save your 
soul, constrain you to accept him. May that Spirit of 
God that has long been striving for your salvation, 
constrain you to accept him. May the goodness, for- 
bearance, and long-suffering of God, constrain you 
to accept him. May the fears of hell, constrain you 
to accept him. May the ministering spirits that watch 
for souls, constrain you to accept him. May the angels 
of God that are waiting to bear the joyful news to 
the loved ones in the mansions of heaven, constrain 



CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 113 

you to accept him- May the sting of conscience, as the 
result of your own sins, and the peace and pardon that 
come through the acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
constrain you to accept him. Oh, you sinning, de- 
spondent, short-lived souls! will you not accept Jesus 
today as your Lord and Savior? 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 

"Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also de- 
ceived?"— -John 7:47. 

The Pharisees hated Jesus to such an extent that 
they wished to put him to death. Hatred can go no 
further than to desire murder. It is the last cowardly 
argument of bigotry, weakness and envy. So they sent 
officers to lay hands on Jesus, and when they came to 
him, he did not act like a criminal — he did not flee 
from them and seek a hiding place; he did not use 
weapons in self-defense; he did not deny anything 
pertaining to his doctrine, life or works, but calmly 
continued to teach the people, heal the sick, and com- 
fort the sorrowing, insomuch that the officers were 
captivated by him and came under the influence of his 
teaching; they shared, to some extent at least, the 
faith of the disciples of Jesus, and lacked the courage 
to execute the command of their masters. So they re- 
turned, under the spell of the dominant enthusiasm 
of the crowd that surrounded Jesus and with the 
shouts that hailed him as the great prophet still ring- 
ing in their ears, to make report to the Chief Priests 
and Pharisees. When the Council saw them return- 
ing empty-handed they were baffled and chagrined, and 
at once demanded, "Why did ye not bring him?" 



116 SOUL SAVING 

"Why did ye not execute our command?" "Why have 
ye been foiled in your effort to carry out the com- 
mand of the committee?" "Where is the man you 
were sent to arrest?" The officers in reply used no 
evasions to excuse themselves. They offered no plea 
that they could not find Jesus, or that they feared 
the multitude, but without equivocation or fear of pun- 
ishment from their superiors, they declared at once 
their reason for not arresting Jesus: "Never man 
spake like this man." They had been so overwhelmed 
with the speaker, in the secrets he had to disclose, in 
the vast treasure of his knowledge, in his unlimited 
power to meet the thirst of men, in his ability to make 
those yield to his influence who were sent to take him 
that they could not resist the benediction of his sacred 
teachings and supernatural glamor that fell upon them, 
and so they declared as something new and wonderful, 
that no man ever spake like this great prophet. In- 
dignantly do the Pharisees answer: "Have ye also 
been deceived?" They had already stigmatized Jesus 
as one who deceived the people. They felt the evil of 
deception growing very fast when those sent to execute 
the law returned without Jesus, and with such a tribute 
to his power as a teacher. They felt that folly, wicked- 
ness, deception and treachery were at work near the 
center of authority, and so in their amazement and 
anger they ask, "Have any of the rulers believed on 
him, or of the Pharisees ?" As if to say, if the rulers 
and Pharisees believe on him there might be some 
color and excuse for the action of the officers. Some 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 117 

of the Pharisees had already shown some sympathy 
with Jesus, some of the higher classes in Galilee had 
admitted his claims, and some of the priests would 
have believed on him if they had not feared the Phari- 
sees, but He had not as yet been accepted by those in 
power and authority. The words and actions of the 
Pharisees indicate great surprise on their part. They 
had sent picked officers commissioned with the highest 
authority, to bring Jesus. These officers had a per- 
sonal experience with Christ. Their failure to take 
him was not the result of hear-say or second-hand re- 
port, for they heard him with their own ears, saw him 
with their own eyes, and experienced the effect of his 
wonderful teaching upon their own hearts, and shared 
in the enthusiasm of the multitude- No wonder the 
rulers were greatly disappointed. They expected a 
feast more enjoyable than that of the Tabernacles, 
from which they had remained away in order to secure 
the victim of their hatred. Their questions and actions 
not only indicate surprise and disappointment, but a 
great insult to their authority. They had been dis- 
obeyed, their commandments set at naught by their 
inferiors and menials, hence the question, "Have ye 
also been deceived?" 

This question is suggestive of a wide and fertile field 
of inquiry. Were the officers deceived in him? Was 
the multitude that surrounded Jesus deceived in him? 
Were his early disciples deceived in him? Has His- 
tory been deceived in him ? Have we been deceived in 
him? Has the world been deceived in him as a 



118 SOUL SAVING 

teacher? The officers' report, "Never man spake like 
this man," was a remarkable tribute to the power of 
Christ as a Teacher. Their words imply that Jesus is 
pre-eminent amongst the teachers of men; that his 
words are incomparable. There had been great Teach- 
ers amongst the Jews and Gentiles: great orators, 
mighty prophets, eloquent teachers, sage philosophers, 
but never man spake like this man. Plato, Socrates 
and Aristotle were great teachers amongst the Greeks, 
but they never spake like Jesus. Moses, David and 
Solomon were great teachers amongst the Jews, but 
they never spake like Jesus. Newton, Bacon and 
Locke were great teachers amongst the Christians, but 
they never spake like Jesus. Buddha and Confucius 
were great teachers amongst the heathens, but they 
never spake like Jesus. There were great teachers 
amongst the Scribes and Pharisees, but none like Jesus. 
The Scribes occupied themselves with the temple and 
the synagogue, with phylacteries and customs, with 
literalism and vain repetitions, but the teachings of 
Jesus concern the life and soul of man and as such 
are as far above the teachings of the Scribes and Phar- 
isees as daylight is grander than darkness, as the pure 
air of the Rocky Mountains is better than the foul air 
of the charnel house. The teachings of other teach- 
ers were narrow and dogmatic, their manners cold and 
indifferent, their sayings second-handed and servile to 
traditions, but the character of Jesus as a teacher and 
his sayings stand pre-eminent. The whole comparison 
proves the fact that the Prophet of Galilee eclipsed all 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 119 

his illustrious predecessors in wisdom and eloquence 
as a teacher, and history demonstrates that he has 
held the same honor from the day he delivered the 
Sermon on the Mount till the present time. 

Never man spake such revelations of truth. Jesus 
uttered the sublimest truths about the character and 
attributes of God, about the nature, state and sin of 
man, about the relationship between man and God, 
about redemption in Christ and the life immortal. 
Never man spake such words for the government of 
life. Nowhere else can we find such perfect precepts 
about governing conduct, enforcing morality, and com- 
manding obedience to God. His precepts were not all 
new- Many of them had been scattered as pearls 
detached from the parent shell, or as rough diamonds 
under ground. Some had appeared in one age and 
some in another. Some had been uttered by one 
philosopher and some by another, but it was left to 
Jesus to give to the world a complete morality, to give 
to mankind unquestionable rules of life and manners, 
to give to his disciples such a code of ethics as to be 
received with divine authority as an unerring rule for 
all time to come. The world had been acting 
contrary to his teachings, and what he said con- 
flicted with the sentiments, maxims and practices 
of life. Think of one who had been reared as 
a gentle mechanic, sitting on the hill-top with a 
crowd of peasants, fishermen and mechanics sur- 
rounding him, preaching to them sublime truths of 
the inner and higher life of the soul, to be received 



120 SOUL SAVING 

by universal consent as the greatest and noblest ut- 
terances of earth. 

Have you ever walked the streets, amidst the din 
and noise of traffic, and heard coming down from the 
chimes of some church or cathedral, notes, sweet, fine 
and beautiful, in sharp contrast with the scenes of 
vulgar life beneath? In some such manner the words 
of Jesus fell upon the multitude, and have been re- 
ceived by mankind in general. 

Never man spake with such authority as Jesus. It 
was declared that he spake as one having authority, 
and not as the Scribes and Pharisees. He possessed 
infinite knowledge. He knew all things. Nothing 
could be hidden from him. All the treasures of knowl- 
edge and wisdom were hidden in him. The universe 
seemed as transparent light before him. He is called 
the only wise God. He is made unto us, wisdom. He 
knew the Father thoroughly. He had the full measure 
of knowledge. He saw Satan fall from heaven as 
lightning. He knows of the joy in the presence of the 
angels of God. He knows man's need of salvation- 
He knows the heart's thirst for God. He was never 
puzzled; and never doubted. He never raised ques- 
tions he could not answer. He had the correct answer 
for every question. His words were the truth — he 
was truth — the truth was in him — in his mind and 
heart and life. Other teachers quote from history and 
works of reference, but Jesus said: "I say unto you," 
"I am the Truth." He had no need to search for it. 
He was the certificate of its authority. He had no 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 121 

need to resort to argument to prove his statement. No 
need to resort to theories, definitions, explanations, 
suppositions, demonstrations. His affirmation was the 
highest wisdom upon the subject. The truthfulness of 
his statements cannot be denied. If Jesus said it, that 
is sufficient — it is the affirmation of its authority. 

Never man spake words that had such an effect upon 
his hearers. This is the true test that brings out the 
power of the teacher. The soldiers returned without 
him. His influence over them was patent to all. No 
fear of punishment could persuade them to take him. 
They could assign no other reason than the effect 
of his speech and doctrine upon them. It is said as a 
proof of the eloquence of Marcus Antonius, a great 
orator, that when Marius sent soldiers to kill him 
he pleaded with such eloquence for his life that they 
could not touch him, and left him in tears. Jesus did 
not plead for his life. He appealed to the conscience 
and heart of men. He pleaded for the life of a sinful 
world, insomuch that the soldiers returned amazed 
and spellbound with his magic eloquence. Individuals 
who heard him in private audience were moved by him. 
Ninteen private interviews of Jesus are recorded in 
the New Testament Scriptures. In these interviews 
his words moved his auditors to action. Sometimes 
he spoke to great multitudes who not only heard him 
gladly, but forsook their homes and employments to 
crowd around him and hear his teachings. It was 
never said of Socrates or Plato that the common peo- 
ple heard them gladly, but they understood Jesus, and 



122 SOUL SAVING 

saw an ever-deepening meaning in what he said. His 
words were like clear wells of water in which no one 
can see the bottom; like sea-shells that sound the im- 
measurable depths of the ocean. His words move the 
human conscience. Others stimulate the conscience 
when they preach in harmony with the teachings of 
Christ, but it is left to Christ to touch and move the 
conscience of man. Whatever contradicts his doctrine 
and seeks to overthrow his kingdom only paralyzes the 
conscience and fires it with righteous indignation. The 
literature of today that is receiving the largest circula- 
tion is that which is in closest harmony with the teach- 
ings of Christ, and will reflect his desires for the up- 
lifting of the human race. 

His sayings have oft-times been introduced to rev- 
olutionize the thought and doctrines of mankind. The 
greatest reforms of human society are traced to the 
utterance of the words of the Nazarene- We declare, 
without any fear of contradiction, that never man 
spake like Christ to the reason, to the conscience, to 
the will, to the heart ; that never man spake with such 
high authority, ease, naturalness and conviction; that 
never man spake with such powerful effect to Nature, 
to disease, to demons, to the guilty, to the penitent, to 
the weary, to the heavy laden, to the sorrowful, to 
death ; that never man spake words so full of meaning 
and preciousness, not only to his own generation, but 
for all generations to come; words to flow on for 
time and for eternity; words to be treasured 
with increasing reverence and attachment by each 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 123 

succeeding generation ; words to reform life and com- 
mand obedience in the hearts of men for all time to 
come; words that have been verified by the lapse of 
time and by the prophetic utterance that "heaven and 
earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass 
away" that stamp his teachings with divine authority. 
Have we been deceived in him as a Savior? God 
appointed him to be a Prince and Savior of men. It 
is declared the Father sent the Son to the earth to 
be a Savior of men. It was prophesied he would be 
mighty to save. His name was called Jesus, because 
he should save the people from their sins. The disci- 
ples who gathered around him accepted him as their 
Savior. The apostles preached him as the only wise 
God and Savior of men. The author to the Hebrews 
declared that he was able to save to the uttermost. 
Paul said, "It is a faithful saying, Christ came to 
save sinners of whom I am the chief." The world 
needed a Savior. The prophets declared a Savior 
would come. Socrates, the great Pagan philosopher, 
declared that "we must of necessity wait till someone 
who careth for us shall come and instruct us how we 
ought to behave toward God and toward man. We 
cannot know what worship we should pay to him, 
but it is necessary that a Law-giver be sent from 
heaven to instruct us. This Law-giver must be more 
than man, that he may teach us the things man cannot 
know by his own nature." The sins and sorrows of 
man called long and loud for a Savior. God answered 
the call of man as expressed in his need, sins, proph- 



124 SOUL SAVING 

ecies, and in the fullness of time sent his own Son 
to be a Savior. Jesus came declaring himself to be 
the Son of God and Savior. It was recorded that he 
went about seeking to save men. He demonstrated 
his power to save by his teachings, life, character, mir- 
acles, resurrection, those he saved at the time and the 
millions he has saved since his appearance upon the 
earth. Have these all been deceived in him ? We have 
accepted him as our Savior- Have we been deceived 
in him? If you are an unbeliever and think that we 
are deceived in Jesus, I ask you to receive him as 
your Savior, let him enter the temple of your soul and 
dwell therein; open the door of your heart and let 
him have possession and he will drive out the foul- 
ness of sin and the beasts of selfishness. He will do 
for you what false doctrines and philosophies of men 
can never do. He will drive wickedness out of your 
temples, cleanse you from all sin, and save your souls 
by His grace. 

Have we been deceived in him as a Comforter? 
Christ is all and all to the Christian in the time of 
trouble and sorrow. None have escaped trouble. Man 
is born to trouble as sure as the sparks fly upward- 
Man is of few days and full of trouble. All are doomed 
to drink out of the bitter lake of trouble. John be- 
held the Redeemed in Paradise, and said : "These are 
they that have come up out of great tribulation." Our 
voyage is across a stormy sea, with ever and anon 
lowering clouds, roaring thunders, dangerous light- 
ning shafts and terrible storms. Our ships never rest 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 125 

at anchor till they have passed the gale. Life is not 
spent in the tent with arms stacked, but in weary- 
marches and bayonet charges. There are troubles 
from sickness, troubles from false friends, troubles 
from enemies, troubles from sins, troubles from cruel 
separations, troubles from the grim monster, Death. 
We are compelled to meet with the coffin, the hearse, 
and the grave. It is only a question of time till trou- 
ble will wrinkle the brow, frost the hair, and in the 
midst of trouble the question arises, is there no angel 
of mercy to bind the wounds, no balm of Gilead 
to heal the sickness, no herb that will serve as an 
antidote to the poison bites of sorrow? Yes, blessed 
be God, Christ is our Comforter. He has the hand- 
kerchief to wipe the tears from our eyes- He has 
the tenderness to pull the thorn out of human agony. 
He has the power to carry the cross. He has a yoke 
that is easy and a burden that is light. When upon 
the bed of languishing, with fever burning the body, 
the patient yearns for health, for rest, for ease, he 
will find sweet comfort in Christ. When suffering 
under the sense of sin and conscience is crying out for 
pardon, there is comfort in Christ. When suffering 
under the shame of the sins, misdoings and crimes 
of others, there is comfort in Christ. When suffer- 
ing from bitter disappointments in life, disappointed 
ambitions and hopes, disappointments in homes and 
friendships, there is comfort in Christ. When suf- 
fering under the rebukes and ostracism of Society, 
when loneliness broods like a pall over the heart, there 



126 SOUL SAVING 

is comfort in Christ. When the good things of the 
earth fail to satisfy, there is comfort in Christ. When 
the King of Terrors gives the stern behest to those 
who are near and dear to our heart, there is comfort 
in Christ, and when the rider upon the pale horse 
comes with a summons to give up this life and cross 
the Jordan of death, there is comfort in Christ. Yes, 
in him there is abundance of comfort for every woe, 
disappointment, sorrow, sin, and trouble. Have you 
tried this Comforter? If so, tell me, have you been 
deceived in him? 

Has the world been deceived in his civilizing power ? 
The best test of religion is its fruits. Jesus taught by 
their fruits ye shall know them. What have been 
the practical results of Christianity? Has it not been 
a success in civilizing barbarian people? Has it not 
been the foundation of all just government, the basis 
of all noble legislation, the inspired impulse of general 
education, the mainspring of charity, the power back 
of every moral reformation, the fountain from which 
flows the redemptive measures for criminals, the mo- 
tive that has led to the rescue of the down-trodden 
and outcast? Has Christianity not been the power 
that has destroyed caste, oppression, tyranny, and 
slavery? Has it not been the war-cry of every noble 
revolution ? Has it not been the basis of international 
union and relationship? Has it not been the safeguard 
of commercial interests? Has it not been the great 
constraining power to enlist the sympathies of the rich 
for the poor, the learned for the ignorant, and the 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 127 

fortunate for the unfortunate? Has it done nothing 
for children. Yea, it has revolutionized the whole 
sentiment of man upon the subject of childhood. Jesus 
Christ has championed the cause and rights of chil- 
dren, sweetened their every relationship, made sacred 
their endearing ties to home and friends and relatives, 
rescued them from being serfs and slaves, and instead 
of being considered as intruders in the home they are 
welcomed as angels of life and mercy. Has he done 
nothing for the poor man? Yes, he has taught the 
Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God. He 
has affirmed the great principle that God is no re- 
specter of persons ; that God looks not upon the ex- 
terior, but upon the interior; that the poor man, in 
the sight of God, has a soul to save as well as the 
rich man. Has not Christianity been the only re- 
ligion to champion that liberty that has opened the 
gates to fortune and fame, to education and power, 
to happiness and peace for the poor man? Has not 
it brought a cargo of blessing from heaven to earth 
for the poor as well as the rich? Has Christianity 
done nothing for women- You know the past history 
of woman. She has been the slave to the passion and 
tyranny of man. The savages have made her a beast 
of burden, rather than a companion. The Jews exiled 
her from the synagogue as being animal in her nature. 
The Pagans forbade her to own property and doomed 
her to incessant toil. The heathens considered her 
without a taste for rational enjoyment, unworthy the 
knowledge of their highest religion, and doomed her 



128 SOUL SAVING 

to awful subjection and drudgery for life. Has she 
not, amongst all peoples in the past, been cheated out 
of her rights, deprived of her education, despoiled 
of her virtue ? Has she not been cut out of history as 
being unworthy a part in it? As a sex you know she 
has been universally neglected, but from the time the 
angel Gabriel visited the humble cottage of Mary over 
in the little city of Nazareth, there has been at work 
the emancipation of woman from tutelage, subjection 
and slavery. It is the glory of Christianity to elevate 
her from the degradation of Paganism, and to make 
her a rational, lovable, amiable, and serviceable com- 
panion of man. She stands today as one of the tri- 
umphant glories of Christianity. Children are taught 
to honor and obey the mother as well as to honor and 
obey the father. The Pagans were taught such a 
great lesson by the Christian women that their cultured 
author, Libanius, declared, "What women these Chris- 
tians are P' The heathens have been taught that even 
their wives and daughters have bodies to be fed, minds 
to be educated, and souls to be saved. Turn to the 
teachings of Jesus and you will find in the New Testa- 
ment Scriptures more women named, honored, ap- 
plauded than is to be found in all the works of the 
Romans during the great Augustan age. Study the 
records of the women and the teachings and princi- 
ples pertaining to them in the New Testament Scrip- 
tures and you become convinced that Jesus Christ is 
the Emancipator of woman; that in his religion there 
is neither bond nor free, male nor female, for all are 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 129 

one in him ; that she is entitled to all moral, social, and 
religious privileges and enjoyments of Christianity on 
a parity with man. If such be the civilizing power 
of Christ and his religion, has the world been deceived 
in him? We believe in his civilizing power. Can it 
be that we are deceived in him? 

Christ came as the destroyer of Death. Is it a de- 
lusion and a deception ? It is appointed unto men once 
to die. Kings have searched for the elixir of life, and 
have found it not. Men of wealth have tried to bribe 
death, but all in vain. Men have sought for the pro- 
longation of life at the seashore and in the mountains, 
but futile have been the efforts- From the time that 
Cain slew his brother Abel death has been the subtle 
foe of mankind. He has come down the ages, rob- 
bing the cradle of its innocence, cutting down youth 
in its beauty, manhood in its strength, and old age in 
its weakness. We confront it at home and abroad. 
He slays men in what they eat. He poisons men in 
what they drink. He waylays men in the streets. 
He carries men away from their business. He rides 
the storm at the sea, he steals his victim from the 
couch, he walks forth at noonday, forgets not his 
work at morning, and postpones it not till after the 
gorgeous sunset. Where is the man who has the 
power to escape death? There is no exemption in 
this war. He spares not age nor sex. He has al- 
ready knocked with his fevers and pains and aches 
and consumptions at your bodies. The mechanic 
either has or will soon make your coffin, and the 



130 SOUL SAVING 

hearse will soon be summoned to bear away your 
mortal remains. 

From the fear of death, is there no relief? From 
the sting of it is there no Savior? From the power 
of it is there no conqueror? Yes, Jesus Christ is 
the Conqueror of death : the only Conqueror of death. 
He declared the battle, made the charge, and won the 
victory. He cut loose the cable that the barque might 
sail freely to the very havens of rest. He prepared 
the fiery chariot in which the spirit might ascend to 
God. He marched upon the foe and wrested his power 
from him. By dying he took away the sting of death ; 
he wrote out the invitation, "My friend, come up 
higher." He displayed his power in abolishing death, 
and bringing life and immortality to light through the 
Gospel. Millions have had fulfilled unto them the 
blessed promise of our Lord, "I will be with you al- 
ways- I will guide you unto death, and receive you 
unto glory." Have they been deceived? We believe 
that Jesus Christ has power over death. Is it a 
delusion and a snare, or a fact? 

It is germaine to our subject to inquire if these 
who have believed in Jesus have been deceived in him ? 
Was God deceived in him? The Father sent him into 
the world as his only begotten Son, declaring that he 
sent him last of all, saying, "They surely will rever- 
ence him." At the baptism of Jesus he acknowledged 
him as his Son in that beautiful declaration that came 
out from the clouds, "This is my beloved Son, in 
whom I am well pleased." At the transfiguration, he 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 131 

said, "This is my beloved Son; hear ye him." Again 
he said, "I have glorified thee, and will glorify thee 
again." 

Were the angels deceived in him? An angel an- 
nounced his coming to Mary. An angel announced 
his birth to the shepherds at Bethlehem. Angels ush- 
ered him into this world, and sang that beautiful song, 
"Glory to God in the Highest; peace on earth, good- 
will to men." It is said that Christ in the flesh was 
seen by the angels ; that these heavenly visitors de- 
sired to look into the things in the Gospel. An angel 
comforted Jesus after his temptation in the wilder- 
ness. Another comforted him after his agony in the 
garden. Angels were sent to his ascension, to ac- 
company him back to his home in glory and we are 
assured that all the hosts of heaven bow down to 
worship him. Is it possible that they are deceived 
in him? 

Were the apostles deceived in him? They had the 
exalted privilege of looking into his face, of hearing 
his words, of knowing his life ,of witnessing his mira- 
cles, of sojourning with him during his earthly pilgrim- 
age. Thomas declared him to be his Lord and God. 
Peter declared him to be the Christ, the Son of the 
living God. Paul declared him to be God and Savior 
of men. John declared him to be the Lord Jesus 
Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love. James 
declared him to be Jesus Christ the Lord of glory- 
They com formed their lives to his teachings. They 
preached his kingdom. They advocated his princi- 



132 SOUL SAVING 

pies. They sealed their testimony and faith with their 
blood. Can it be possible they were deceived in him? 
Had Jesus been a deceiver would they not have de- 
tected it? 

Have the great men of history been deceived in 
him? Our Lord and Master can be weighed and 
measured by the estimate of the character and ability 
of those who have accepted him as the Son of God 
and the Savior of men. Statesmen, philanthropists, 
reformers, merchants, authors, historians, scientists, 
men of might and power, men of learning and title 
have, in open declaration, confessed him, and with 
notes loud and clear and strong sounded out his au- 
thority over their souls. Bismarck, the great German 
statesman who made Germany great, declared that he 
hoped for forigveness in the blood of Christ, and rec- 
ognized the will of God in the Christian Gospels. 
Gladstone, perhaps the greatest statesman of England, 
declared that Christianity has not only contributed to 
the betterment of man its brightest and most precious 
jewels, but has been what our Savior pronounced it, 
the soul of all the residue. Garibaldi, the great states- 
man of Italy, in addressing his army, said: "I am a 
Christian, and I speak to Christians. I love and ven- 
erate the religion of Christ, because Christ came into 
the world to deliver humanity from slavery." Benja- 
min Franklin, the great statesman and philosopher of 
America, said : "As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion 
of whom you particularly desire, I think the system 
of morals, and His religion, as He left them to us, is 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 133 

the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see." Do 
you ask for champions of faith from the literary 
world? If you would draw an encyclopedia around 
the Christian authors, without you would find a 
howling waste. Noah Webster, the great lexicograph- 
er, said: "The United States commenced their exist- 
ence with the best gift of God to man — the Christian 
religion." Walter Scott says: "I would, if called 
upon, die a martyr for the Christian religion, so com- 
pletely is its divine origin proved by its beneficial 
effects on the state of society." Sir Isaac Newton de- 
clared, "I count the Scriptures of God to be the most 
sublime philosophy." Do you ask for champions from 
the scientific world ? Sir Humphrey Davy, the famous 
chemist, has left the statement "Of all the religions 
which have operated in the human mind, Christianity 
alone has the consistent character of perfect truth. Its 
current effects have been constantly connected with 
the moral and intellectual improvement, with present 
and future happiness." Morse, the famous electrician, 
who received honors from all the civilized world for 
his great invention, stated at a communion table with 
Christ, "Oh, this is something better than standing 
before princes." A few days before his decease, when 
a friend spoke to him of the great goodness of God 
to him in his remarkable life, he replid, "Yes, so 
good! so good! and the best part of all is yet to 
come" It would take volumes to record the testimony 
of Jesus from the lips and pens of the world's great 
men. The variety, and scope of their utterances give 



134 SOUL SAVING 

them increasing force. They come from land and 
sea, from city and country, from philosophers and 
sages ; from men of schools and men of business ; from 
reformers in the political world, and from scientists 
in the physical world; men accustomed to examine 
testimony, weigh evidence, and pass judgment. Can 
it be that such men, who champion Christianity and 
hail Jesus as their king and ruler, their Lord and 
Savior, are deceived in him? 

Were the sinners who were saved by him deceived 
in him? Were those whom he raised from the dead 
deceived in him? Have those who have trusted him 
during the ages that are passed and gone, as their 
friend, their Father, their Teacher, their Savior and 
Comforter been deceived in him? 

May it not be that the skeptics and unbelievers have 
been deceived in themselves, and in their own systems 
of folly and philosophy ? The Pharisees were deceived 
in themselves. They trusted in their own righteous- 
ness, which was a weak staff. They thought them- 
selves to be something when they were nothing. They 
upheld the traditions and commandments of men, 
which led them into deeper dissipation. They were 
deceived in their formality and self righteousness. 
They were deceived in their rejection of Christ. 

Is not the infidel deceived in his infidelity? Infidel- 
ity is not a person nor a thing. It is a moral imbecility, 
a spiritual jaundice, a negative idea, the blackness of 
darkness, a repudiation of evidence. Is not the infidel 
deceived in his mission? The mission of infidelity is 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 135 

not to build up, but to pull down governments, morals, 
laws, churches ; to pull down the characters of men 
and women ; to pull down the protection of home, 
property and life. It is a mission of war upon the 
Bible and Christianity. It is a mission to discourage 
all efforts to ameliorate man's condition. Have they 
not been deceived in the results of infidelity? Infidel- 
ity has done nothing to make a heaven of this world! 
It organizes no missionary societies, supports no mis- 
sionaries, and neither builds nor supports churches. It 
neither founds nor maintains Young Men's Christian 
Associations, Sunday-schools and reformatory institu- 
tions. It neither builds nor supports associations of 
charity and philanthropy. It has done nothing to en- 
lighten, civilize and elevate the human race since the 
world was made. It has done nothing to establish 
peace and hope upon the earth- It publishes no sys- 
tem of morals, no codes of law, no methods of educa- 
tion, and establishes and sustains no institutions of 
learning. It does nothing to correct the frailties of 
humanity, nor to enlarge public and private virtue. It 
does nothing to make a man a better father, a better 
hnsband,, a better citizen. It removes from man every 
idea of moral restraint, and respect to God, and gives 
him free rein to sin and passion. It hangs a dark pall 
before and after man's life upon the earth. It prom- 
ises him nothing in this life and eternal sleep beyond 
the grave. Surely, any man accepting infidelity will 
be deceived in it; deceived in its theory, its meaning, 
its result, its association, and destructive power; de- 



136 SOUL SAVING 

ceived in its utter inability to comfort in the hours of 
death. It is recorded that during the dying hours of 
Hume's mother, who had been divested of her religion 
by the persuasion of her son, that in her desperate and 
hopeless struggle with death she sent for her son, and 
when he arrived she asked him to give her comfort 
in the hour of death, for she had found no peace in 
unbelief, and no hope in death, and no light in the 
future. I knew a blatant infidel in Ohio, who in the 
last hours of his life, begged his friends to burn his 
books upon infidelity and turn away from his errors, 
to forsake his position, and to look to Christ for 
forgiveness; but on the other hand, can you name a 
single soul that has departed this life in faith in 
Christ, affirm that he had ever been deceived in him 
as the king and Savior of his soul; ever deceived in 
his teachings and principles; ever deceived in him as 
a Comforter and Supporter; ever deceived in him in 
the time of trouble and sorrow, and was now being 
deceived in him in the face of death ? I appeal to you 
Christians, have you been deceived in Jesus? Is he 
not all that he claimed to be? Has his word ever 
failed you ? Has his promise ever been denied to you ? 
Has his arm ever lost its protecting power? Has his 
hope ever ceased to brighten your future? Has his 
light ever failed to cast a gleam across the darkness 
of your way? Has his salvation ever proven futile? 
Has he ever forsaken you in the season of sickness, 
in the hour of temptation, in the fiery trials of faith, 
in the departure of your loved ones or in the face of 



HAVE WE BEEN DECEIVED? 137 

death and judgment? If not, then love him more, 
serve him better, live his life, preach his salvation, win 
souls to him. 

To you who have never believed on him, I assure 
you this day that he is not a deceiver nor an imposter, 
but the Son of God and the Savior of men. You may 
have been deceived in yourselves, in your plans and 
purposes, aims and objects of hope ; you may have been 
deceived in your friends and relatives, but if you will 
follow Jesus you will not follow a cunningly devised 
fable; you will not follow a friend who will forsake 
you, and disappoint you, but you will follow one 
who will lead you safely along the journey of life, 
through the shadows that may come to darken it, down 
to the River of Death, and thence across the Jordan to 
that better country where you will become a just spirit 
made perfect and dwell in his presence, with the re- 
demed in Christ, and the angels of the Lord forever- 
more. 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 

"For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that 
which was lost." — Luke 19:10. 

Man's condition requires a Savior. He has lost the 
image of God. He is ruined by sin. He is exposed to 
the wrath of God. He has defiled the powers of his 
soul. His sins have estranged his heart from God. 
He is lost by nature: By one man sin entered the 
world- "All have sinned, and come short of the glory 
of God." "None are righteous: no, not one." He is 
lost by practice : As soon as the child knows right 
from wrong he begins to choose evil and abhor the 
good. His early passions break out like weeds after 
a shower of rain. 

He is sometimes lost to the church. He may have 
religious training in his early life and due regard for 
the worship of God and for the house of prayer, and 
then, after having tasted these heavenly gifts, turn 
away like the dog to the vomit, or the sow to the 
wallowing in the mire. 

He is sometimes lost to society. Have you not seen 
a man dead, while he was still alive? The drunkard, 
like the leper in the camp of Israel, must be put away 
lest the evil spread. I once heard a father say, "My 
son, you shall not want bread while I live, but I must 



140 SOUL SAVING 

forbid you my house, for your brothers and sisters 
cannot endure your society. I fear your presence 
would destroy their souls, and therefore, must not al- 
low you to associate with them." And thus a man 
may be lost to society and to his own family. 

He is sometimes lost to himself. Like a ship at sea 
that has struck a derelict or sprung a leak, and in spite 
of all efforts on the part of those on board she drifts 
helplessly about, and as the vessel is about to sink, the 
moaning cry rends the air, "Lost at sea." Thus, man's 
heart may be rent asunder by sin and he be lost to his 
own self respect. Some men are lost by reason of 
their own passion, — as Balaam, by his love for gold; 
Saul, by his jealousy and madness; Haman, by his 
envy and self-will; Ahab, by his covetousness ; Sol- 
omon, by his idolatry ; Achan, by his theft ; Belshazzar, 
by his lust; Annanias and Sapphira, by their lying. 
A lost soul! It is awful to contemplate. A soul is 
God's highest gift, and in the talent, imagination, feel- 
ing and power of the soul is lodged the possibility of 
the highest heaven or the deepest hell, and the poor 
soul that is lost to self, to society, to the church, and to 
God. Christ came to seek and to save. The lost soul 
is described in the Bible as being blind, starved, naked, 
fallen, leprous, alien, foreign, a prisoner, a captive, 
a debtor, as dead. In this awful condition, the lost 
soul is unable to save itself, and therefore, needs a 
divine Savior- In this fallen state, it is on the edge 
of a precipice, in great danger, and therefore, needs 
to be rescued, and Christ came to seek and to save it. 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 141 

This was his mission. He came from heaven, the 
royal palace of Jehovah, the throne of the Father, the 
worship of angels, the celestial city. He emptied him- 
self of his glory, and was found in the fashion of man. 
Though being equal with God, he counted it not rob- 
bery to humble himself, and to come down to fallen hu- 
manilty. "In the beginning was the Word, and the 
Word was with God, and the Word was God, and the 
Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us." He be- 
came poor, that we through his poverty might become 
rich. He left the glory that he had with the Father be- 
fore the world was. He left his throne. He left the 
angelic hosts and came voluntarily to the world. He 
came to this fallen, benighted world. He came to a 
word in revolt and conflict. He came to a world of 
sin and iniquity. He came to a world of suffering 
and death. Amazing condescension! in thus abasing 
himself, and coming to his footstool as a dwelling 
place. Coming not on a transient visit, but to be a 
citizen. Coming not with regal pomp, not in kingly 
grandeur; coming not to ride in chariots of gold, not 
to dwell in palaces, but to live in humility. Born in 
Bethlehem, of a humble Galileean woman. There 
being no room for him in the inn, his first residence 
was in a stable. Thus he took upon himself the form 
of a servant, came to minister and not to be ministered 
unto, came to be a servant of servants; came to seek 
and to save the lost- This was the grandest mission 
ever recorded, and this the grandest missionary that 
ever came to the world. Men have gone forth on 



142 SOUL SAVING 

different missions. Alexander went forth to conquer 
the world; Caesar went forth to subdue his enemies; 
Plato and Socrates went forth in search of knowl- 
edge ; Columbus went forth to discover the new world ; 
Dr. Kane went forth to discover the North Pole ; Stan- 
ley went forth to explore Africa. Warriors have gone 
forth to rout armies and their march has been tracked 
with blood, misery and death. Travelers have gone 
forth to explore distant regions, to see the wonders 
of nature and view the monuments of art. Philan- 
thropists have gone forth on errands of mercy, but 
our blessed Messiah went forth from heaven and 
came into the world to submit to shame, to endure 
scourgings and to suffer death, for a race of guilty 
men, that he migth be able to save them from their 
lost condition. 

The question may arise, is he able to save men from 
their sins? It would require a volume to make a 
record of the proofs of Christ's ability to save. God 
appointed him to do this work. God makes no mis- 
takes. What he utters through his servants as a 
prophesy will surely come to pass. His words ac- 
complished their purposes. His predictions become 
history. Kings who take counsel against the Lord 
only bring forth from him that sitteth in the heavens, 
laughter and derision. God's purposes can never be 
frustrated by men. He sometimes uses the wicked 
to do his bidding, and makes the wrath of man to 
praise him. God appointed Abraham to be the father 
of a race of people. God appointed Moses to be the 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 143 

Law-giver of Israel- God appointed David to bind 
the tribes together in one kingdom. God appointed 
Elijah to stand before Ahab and recount his sins. God 
appointed Ezra to rebuild Jerusalem. God appointed 
John the Baptist, to be the forerunner of Christ. God 
appointed his only begotten Son, his dearly beloved, to 
save men from their sins. He hath highly exalted 
him, and made him a Prince and Savior of men- He 
exalted him in grace, for as the law came by Moses 
so grace and truth came by Christ. He exalted him 
in name, giving him a name that is above every name. 
He exalted him in wisdom, for all the treasures of 
wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. He exalted 
him in power, giving him all authority in heaven and on 
earth. He made him the express Image of the Father, 
and the brightness of his glory. For him kings reign, 
and princes decree justice. Surely, if Gpd has chosen 
his Son to seek and to save the lost, he must be able to 
do so. 

The fulfillment of prophecies prove his ability to 
save. Soon after the fall of man God promised the seed 
of woman should bruise the serpent's head. He prom- 
ised Abraham that of his seed all the nations of the 
earth should be blessed. He promised Moses that he 
would raise up one from amongst his brethren, like unto 
himself who would rule over the house of Israel for- 
ever. He promised David that he would raise up one to 
sit upon his throne, and that it would be established for- 
ever. He promised to Isaiah a Prince of Peace, who 
would bear the government upon his shoulders, and of 



144 SOUL SAVING 

his reign there would be no end. It was prophesied that 
he would be led as a lamb to the slaughter; that he 
would make his grave with the malefactors and the 
rich; that not a bone of his body would be broken; 
that lots would be cast for his vesture ; that his spirit 
would not be left in Hades; that his body would not 
see corruption; that he would introduce the last will 
and testament of God; that his kingdom would be an 
everlasting kingdom. Have not these prophecies been 
fulfilled in him? Therefore, he must be able to save 
the lost. 

His character demonstrated his power to save the 
lost. He is the Son of God, and he is the Son of 
man. Emanuel : "God with us." He knows the mind 
of God and he knows the heart of man. His life 
is spotless. He is termed, the Lamb, without spot or 
blemish. No guile was found in his mouth. None 
could convict him of sin. He is perfect as the Father 
in heaven is perfect : free from the selfishness of men, 
free from Jewish prejudices, free from the sins that 
ruin the souls of men. There is perfect harmony in 
his character. Zeal is especially manifest in the char- 
acter of Peter, love in John, work in James, faith in 
Paul, but all traits of character are perfect in Christ. 
We see in him, all that is innocent in the cradle, 
charming in youth, lovely in womanhood, beautiful in 
the poet, sublime in the orator, and noble in manhood. 
He is the perfect man. He is the God man. He is 
the human God. Thus do his life and character dem- 
onstrate his ability to save the lost. 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 145 

His claims prove it. He claimed that he came from 
God, and that he would return to God; that he was 
before Abraham ; that he is the Great I Am ; that he 
is the Son of God; that he has the power to forgive 
sins ; that he is able to give rest to the soul ; that Moses 
and the prophets spoke of him ; that the Scriptures are 
fulfilled in him ; that last of all, God sent his own Son 
to the world; that he would rise from the dead the 
third day; that destruction would come to Jerusalem; 
that the cities of Judea would be made desolate; that 
he would sit upon the throne of Judgment; that his 
knowledge would increase in the earth. He knew 
what these claims meant. He made them without the 
least arrogance. His claims are false and he is an 
imposter, or his claims are true and he is able to save 
the lost. 

His teachings demonstrate his power to save the 
lost. It was said of him that never man spake like 
this man ; that he taught not as the Scribes and Phari- 
sees. He never doubted. He was never puzzled. The 
Truth was in himself. He had no need to consult 
books of reference. He had no need of argument to 
prove his teachings. He spoke with perfect freedom 
and authority upon every subject he discussed. He 
knew what was in man and frequently read his 
thoughts in public. He knew the name of Nathaniel 
before he had met him. He knew the life of the 
Samaritan woman, much to her amazement. He called 
Zaccheus by name, before he was introduced to him. 
He knew the cunning and crafty heart of Herod. He 



146 SOUL SAVING 

knew that Lazarus was dead before the messenger 
arrived. He knew as much about the future as about 
the present world. The past, present and future were 
as an open book to him. He adapted his teachings to 
his audience. He gave to the world a new idea of the 
kingdom of heaven- He introduced and affirmed the 
great ideas of the Fatherhood of God and the Brother- 
hood of man. All other teachers pale before him. His 
words convince the intellect, move the heart, and 
touch the conescience. His teachings, therefore, prove 
his power to save the lost. 

His miracles prove it. During his three years of 
public ministry he did enough to demonstrate for all 
time to come that he had power to save sinners. * He 
fulfilled the law, he suffered the penalty, he shed his 
blood, he conquered the greatest foe of man, he calmed 
the seas, he cast out demons, he cleansed the lepers, he 
healed the sick, he fed the multitudes, he forgave sins, 
he raised the dead. He had power over Nature, he 
had power over demons, he had power over disease, 
he had power over the dead, he had power over life 
present and life to come. Especially do we emphasize 
the great miracle of his resurrection. He pointed to 
this event as the final test and confirmation of his claim 
to be the Son of God and Savior of man. On the third 
day the sepulchre was empty. Within the next forty 
days he appeared at divers times on divers occasions 
to divers people. At one time more than five hundred 
saw him. 

There are clouds of living witnesses to testify of his 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 147 

ability to save the lost. Paul said it was a faithful 
saying that Christ came to save sinners; this saying 
is faithful and true today. It is not a fable, not an 
imposition, but a living fact: not only attested but 
proven by the sacred writings of the past; not only 
attested by the testimony of millions of Christians 
during the ages past and gone, but it is attested by 
millions of living professors who have been saved by 
him. How do we know the sun shines? We see it 
and bask in it. How do we know the apple falls to 
the earth ? We see it and know it. How do we know 
that Christ has power to save? We have seen it, felt 
it, experienced it. You shall know the truth, and the 
truth will set you free- If any man will do the will 
of God he shall know his doctrine. Think of the 
thousands of Sunday-school pupils; think of the 
thousands of young men and women in our young peo- 
ple's societies ; and think of the thousands of Christian 
men and women in the church of God who have been 
saved by him, and are now working to win others to 
Christ. Thank God our Savior is as willing to save 
as he is able to save. His love is as great as his 
power. His mercy is commensurate with his omnipo- 
tence. His invitations include all who labor, all who 
are heavy laden, all who are thirsty and all who are 
lost. All who are sinful are invited to come to him 
and have rest, peace, and pardon. We are also as- 
sured he is able to save to the uttermost — that is, to 
all intents and purposes. Able to save from sin and 
into the favor of God. Able to make us heirs of God 



148 SOUL SAVING 

and joint heirs with himself. Able to save from the 
curse of the Law. Was he not made accursed for us ? 

Free from the Law, Oh happy condition ! 
Christ is able and there is remission ; 
Cursed by the Law and bruised by the fall, 
Christ has redeemed us once for all. 

He came to save from the machinations of Satan. 
We are assured that he was manifest to destroy the 
works of Satan, and to deliver us from the powers 
of darkness. He is the only one able to bind Satan, 
cast him down, and wrest the scepter from his grasp. 

He is able to save from sin. Every man in this 
fallen world knows that sin is a terrible reality; that 
it has power over the hearts of men and women. That 
it is something that is concrete, definite, substantial 
and incarnate in the human nature, and every man 
knows his need of being saved and knows his inability 
to save himself. Look at your hearts: sin is there. 
It is a disease of your nature, and death is its conse- 
quence- It is treason against God, and hell is its 
punishment. It is a crime against high heaven and 
remorse is its penalty. Now, Christ came to save you 
from sin. He gave his life a ransom for many. He 
came to save you from the dominion and polluting 
power of sin. 

He is able to save from the wages of sin. The wages 
of sin is death, eternal death, but the gift of God in 
Christ is eternal life. The sting of death is sin, but 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 149 

in Christ there is redemption, even remission of sins. 
By dying, Jesus took away the sting of death- By 
dyi n g> he brought life and immortality to light through 
his Gospel. By dying he hung the lamp of the Res- 
urrection and life in the lonely halls of the tomb. 

He is able to save from the lowest depths of sin. 
Did he not save Mary, out of whom he cast seven 
devils? Did he not save the man at the tombs, pos- 
sessed with evil spirits ? Did he not save Saul, the per- 
secutor and murderer? Did he not save Nicodemus, 
the moralist ? Did he not save poor, blind Bartemeus, 
the beggar? Did he not save Zaccheus, the publican? 
There is no one too far away for him to see; no one 
too low for him to reach; no ear deaf to his call; 
no heart so hard that he cannot break it; no crime 
so black that he cannot wash away its guilt; no sin 
so terrible that he cannot forgive. Blessed be his 
name, he is able to save always. He is just as able to 
save today as when he was walking the hills and plains 
of Galilee. Able to save in adversity, temptation, per- 
secution, affliction; able to save in joy and prosperity; 
able to save in suffering and death; able to give the 
mansions of light, the crowns of love and the kingdom 
of glory. 

As to his method of salvation, it differs from man's 
treatment of sin. Human plans have been tried and 
failed. The government has chastised offenders, ex- 
ecuted severe penalties, introduced flogging, the rack, 
the prison, and the scaffold, and to every mode of 
government treatment there is written over it one word, 



150 SOUL SAVING 

"failure." Society has tried exclusion. It has ban- 
ished the offenders. It has excluded them from the 
privileges of the commonwealth, but over this method 
of treatment is written the word, "failure." Lenient 
judges have tried forgiveness of the offender and 
trusted to his honor for future gratitude and better 
life: beautiful sentiment, but over it is written the 
word, "failure." The propositions of Philosophy and 
Theosophy are as great failures as rigorous punish- 
ment, indiscriminate forgiveness, and inexorable se- 
verity of the law, but Jesus Christ saves by loving sym- 
pathy of man, by the beautiful holiness of his life, by 
an exhibition of the Father's love, by the cleansing 
power of his blood, and the redeeming power of the 
life of God manifest in the life of Christ within us. 
Through him we have life and light that is the life 
of man. 

Oh, that men could realize they are lost. It is an 
awful thing to be lost. Look at the sheep lost from 
the fold, straying in the dark recesses of the moun- x 
tains and exposed to the wild beasts of prey. The 
man without Christ, is like the lost sheep, wandering 
from the fold of heaven. He is like the mariner whose 
vessel is wrecked upon the rocks and cannot long sur- 
vive. The man without Christ is like the sick man 
with the leprosy of disease spreading its foulness 
throughout the system; there seems to be no remedy; 
disease is deepening and death is hastening. Such 
is the state of man without Christ: Sin is disease of 
the soul; it is fast sweeping him on to destruction. 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 151 

Look at the malefactor. He has been convicted of 
crime and is condemned to death ; in the eye of the law 
he is a dead man, and such is the condition of 4 the- 
man without Christ: He is under condemnation; the 
curse of eternal death is hanging over him. 

Now, Christ came to seek and to save the lost. As 
the kind shepherd follows the straying sheep, so Jesus 
Christ follows the straying sinner, seeking to save him. 
As the life-boat is launched to those lost at sea, so 
Jesus Christ, our great mariner, launches the life-boat 
of salvation to those wrecked upon the sea of life. 
As the physician gives medicine to the sick to heal him 
of his disease, so Christ, the Great Physician of our 
souls, gives to us the balm of eternal life to cleanse 
us from the leprosy of sin. As the governor sends 
pardon to the condemned criminal that he may have 
liberty, so Jesus Christ, our King, gives pardon to 
those under condemnation who will turn from sin and 
accept him as their Savior. If you could only be 
awakened to the terrible condition of being lost ! Lost 
money may be regained by industry. Lost health may 
be regained by temperance ; lost friendship may be re- 
gained by kindness, but when the soul is lost all is 
lost. I knew a little boy, who, in playing with powder, 
blew out his eyes, and when the fact was announced 
to his mother she wept bitterly, bewailing the fact 
that her boy would never again look upon her and her 
loved ones, and the beauties of the world; but what 
is loss of sight to the loss of the soul? If thy right 
eye offend thee, it is better to pluck it out, cast it 



152 SOUL SAVING 

from thee, and enter heaven maimed and halt, than 
to be cast with the body whole, into hell fire. It is 
better to lose all worldly goods than to lose the soul. 
Better to have the body torn, limb from limb, than 
to lose the soul. It is not only a great loss to the poor 
sinner himself, but it is a loss to the Father. Every- 
body seems to have pity for the sinner, and to be ab- 
sorbed in his spiritual disaster, but how about the 
Father's feelings? Who suffers the more, the mother 
tossing and rolling upon her "bed at night over her 
lost daughter, or the girl in the paths of sin? Who 
suffers more, those who go down at sea, or the sur- 
vivors bewailing their loss? Who suffers more, the 
wandering sheep, or the searching shepherd? Who 
suffers more, the rolling coin, or the woman with the 
broom? Who suffers more, the reprobate son or the 
wronged and dishonored father? Who suffers more, 
the guilty sinner, or the pleading Savior ? 

To you who are lost in sin, in passion, in worldli- 
ness, in intemperance, in indifference, Christ is seek- 
ing you. He came to save you. He is anxious to 
save you. He is willing to save you. He is able to 
save you. He has long been seeking to save you. He 
is calling earnestly, tenderly. He goes everywhere 
in this search. He is seeking you patiently, not willing 
that you should perish- He is seeking affectionately, — 
in pitying love, weeping love, praying love, dying love. 
Behold, how he illustrates it. The coin is lost. The 
woman lights the candle, sweeps the house, seeks dil- 
igently till she finds it. Hear the brushing of the 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 153 

broom, the moving of the furniture, the turning of the 
carpets, till she finds it. The sheep is lost. See the 
Shepherd, with his assistants, and faithful shepherd 
dogs, searching over the hills, through the valleys, up 
the mountains, down the ravines, in the jungles, till 
he finds the lost sheep. Is not this persevering and 
seeking love on the part of the Infinite Savior? Are 
you poor? Christ, who had no where to lay his head, 
saved the poor, blind beggar, and he is able to save 
you. Are you in sorrow? He comes with a blessing 
for those that mourn that they may be comforted. Are 
you in the beautiful and tender period of youth? Jesus 
comes seeking to save you and asks you to remember 
him in the days of your youth. Are you a young man ? 
Jesus comes to your heart and seeks to save you and 
make your greatest glory in your physical, intellectual 
and spiritual strength. Are you a young lady ? Jesus 
Christ is seeking to save you, and invites you to sit 
at his feet, like Mary of Bethany, and to choose that 
good part which shall never be taken from you. Are 
you a poor, wretched, lost soul? Lost to virtue, and 
to peace of heart? Jesus, who saved Mary of Mag- 
dala, is seeking to save you and is able to say unto you, 
"Thy sins which are many, are forgiven thee : go and 
sin no more." Are you comfortable in your compe- 
tency? Jesus who saved Zaccheus, is crying out to 
you : "Come down ! Come down ! Come down ! for 
this day salvation is come into your house/' 

There can be no question but what Christ came to 
seek and to save the lost. It is left to you. Will 



154 SOUL SAVING 

you accept him as your Savior ? Will you accept him 
in faith, in repentence, in love, and obedience? If so, 
it will give joy to the Father's heart. His song will 
be, "This, my son, was lost and is found." It will be 
the gladdest news that mother ever heard: that this, 
her boy, or girl, that was wandering, has come back 
to the fold of safety, and her heart that has been break- 
ing is now glad for the home-coming. Think of the 
wife whose husband had been lost to salvation, but was 
found, and now sits in manly love beside her. Oh, 
her heart is so full that she cannot speak because of 
her joy. Oh, lost men and women, if you will accept 
Jesus think of the glad tidings that the angels will bear 
to heaven over your repentence ; think of the joy in 
their presence over one sinner that repenteth more 
than over ninety and nine just persons that need no 
repentance. Think of the joy it will bring to your 
own souls. The joy of pardon: nothing can surpass 
it. The joy of peace: what can equal it? The joy of 
eternal life: what can touch it in this world? The 
joy of the Christian is the highest and the deepest joy, 
and no man can divest him of it. No matter what 
your success in life — you may accumulate fortunes, 
achieve honors, invent devices, write your name upon 
the pages of history, fill the world with your praise, 
but if you lose your soul, all will be lost. It will be 
an eternal loss. It will be a loss that can never be 
regained. Then turn ye, turn ye; why will ye die? 
Turn to Christ who is come to seek and to save the 
lost. 



CHRIST SEEKING THE LOST 155 

Major Whittle tells a story of a "Quaker named 
Hartman, who had a son enlisted in the army, and after 
a terrible battle, the father started to the scene of the 
conflict to learn something concerning his boy. The 
officer of the day told him that he had not answered 
to his name and that there was every reason to believe 
that he was dead. This did not satisfy the old Quaker, 
and so he started across the battlefield, looking for the 
one who was dearer to him than life. He stooped 
down to turn over the face of this one and then the 
face of another. The night came on, and then with 
a lantern he continued his search, all to no purpose. 
Suddenly the wind, which was blowing a gale, ex- 
tinguished his lantern, and he stood there in the dark- 
ness, hardly knowing what to do until his fatherly in- 
genuity, strength and affection prompted him to call 
out his son's name, and so he stood and shouted, 
'John Hartman, thy father calleth thee.' 

All about him he could hear the groans of the dying, 
and some one saying, 'Oh, if that were only my 
father!' He continued his cry with more pathos and 
power, until at last in the distance he heard his boy's 
voice crying tremblingly, 'Here, Father.' The old 
man made his way across the field shouting out, 
'Thank God !' 'Thank God !' Taking him in his arms 
he bore him to headquarters, nursed him back to health 
and strength and he lives today." 

Oh, loved one, have you been slain by sin? Jesus 
is seeking to save you. See him coming over the bat- 
tlefield in search of his lost and wandering children. 



156 SOUL SAVING 

Hear him calling for thee; arise quickly and answer 
his call ere he passes by and you hear his voice no 
more- 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 

"Adam, where art thou?" — Genesis 3:9. 

The sacred narrative opens with a picture of the 
Good Shepherd seeking the lost sheep, the Father 
searching for the lost child. Hear him call to our 
first parent, "Adam, where art thou?" The speaker 
is Jehovah, the Creator, Preserver and Redeemer of 
man. The person addressed is Adam, our common 
ancestor ; Adam, the first man ; Adam, the representa- 
tive of the human race; Adam, made in the image of 
his Creator, that image consisting in his immortality, 
in his intellectual powers, his affection, his liberty 
of life, his moral and spiritual qualities. It is a def- 
inite, decisive, authoritative call. The summons is 
personal. It is common to apply the instruction or 
reproof of a sermon to one's neighbor; to wish that 
a friend or acquaintance had heard it, but in this call 
of God to man we find a direct and personal appeal 
to the individual, as much so as if it read "Thou art 
the man !" It should be applied to yourself as much 
as to Adam. Adam is your representative. It is a 
substitute name for your own. It is the call of the 
ages. It is universal in its application. It first rang 
out in the Garden of Eden more than six thousand 
years ago, but it has come down through the ages, 



158 SOUL SAVING 

now addressed through Moses and the Prophets, now 
delivered by Christ and the Apostles. No one ex- 
cused, no one exempted- It is delivered to the whole 
race. The Lord God called unto Adam and said, 
"Adam, where art thou?" It is just as direct as if he 
had said, "Moses, where art thou?" "David, where 
art thou?" "Peter, where art thou?" He speaks to 
you as he did to Adam. The question should come 
to you, in the busy hours of the day; in the silent 
watches of the night, and in the midst of your chosen 
circle of friends. The call is addressed to you, 
"Where art thou?" "What are you doing here?" 
"Whither are you going?" "What is to be your here- 
after?" "Adam, where art thou in the material 
world?" "Where art thou hiding?" But a short time 
ago you heard the voice of God and it was music 
in your ear; but a short time ago you considered 
it the highest honor to enjoy the presence of the 
Jehovah, and to be a participant in his blessing; 
but a short time ago you thought the thoughts 
of heaven and breathed its very atmosphere. Now, 
where are thou? Whither hast thou gone? Is 
the voice of God thrilling your heart with terror? 
Is the thought of God filling your mind with confu- 
sion? Dost thou fear the presence of God, lest he 
should smite thee, that thou art in hiding from him ? 

"Adam, where art thou in the spiritual world?" 
From what heights hast thou been hurled, to what deg- 
radation and sin hast thou fallen? Is it possible that 
the son of the morning has descended to the very gates 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 159 

of hell? Is it possible that a dark cloud has arisen 
between the creature and the Creator. Is it possible 
that an awful sense of condemnation is hanging over 
his soul? "Hast thou fallen from the threshold of 
glory to the very portal of the world of doom?" 
"Adam, where art thou?" "Into what gulf of 
misery has thou fallen ? Thou, who wast clothed with 
majesty, innocence and glory, into what deep disgrace 
and bitter remorse hast thou fallen ? 

How Does God Call to Man? 

In Revelation. He called through Noah, Abraham 
and Moses. He called through the greater and lesser 
prophets. We hear that call in the preaching of John 
the Baptist. We hear it ringing out clear and strong 
in the preaching of Christ and the Apostles. You can 
scarcely read a page in the New Testament Scrip- 
tures but what you feel in your conscience that God 
is calling to you. Read the Sermon on the Mount. 
Read the parable of the lost sheep. Read how Christ 
wept over Jerusalem. Read the record of his suf- 
ferings, and as you read listen to the voice of God 
calling to you. Or, do you leave the Bible unread 
because it is not your desire to hear the voice of God 
and to recognize his presence? Doubtless many 
neglect reading the Good Book for this reason, but my 
friend, do you not believe the Scriptures to be of 
divine origin? Surely you must believe. 

God Calls Through the Church. 

It is here his word is expounded, the table of the 
Lord is spread, spiritual songs are sung, prayers are 



160 SOUL SAVING 

offered, and fellowship enjoyed in the assembly of 
the saints. How often have you heard God calling 
to you through the sermons preached, the songs sung, 
and the exhortations and invitations of loved ones ! 
Or, do you forsake the house of God and neglect 
assembling yourselves together, lest you will hear the 
voice of God and become conscious of his presence? 
Some people ask to be excused from the service on 
account of not being well enough clothed, or being 
too far from the house of worship, or not being able 
to enjoy the services, but is it not true that in most 
cases many men and women absent themselves be- 
cause it is there God calls in a loud voice unto them 
and makes them uncomfortable in their sins, and 
awakens them to the necessity of preparing to meet 
God? 

Sometimes God calls through yourself. He speaks 
through the conscience. You have a faculty in your 
mind that sits in judgment on your every action; en- 
ables you to discern between that which you believe to 
be right and that which you believe to be wrong, and 
constrains you to do that which you believe to be 
right, and restrains you from doing that which you 
believe to be wrong; a faculty that recognizes God 
and convinces you that you will have to stand before 
him some time and answer for the deeds done in your 
body; conscience warns us to turn from sin and to 
live righteously. It is an entire court to us, including 
the judge, the witnesses, the jury, and the executioner. 
Sometimes God speaks so loud through conscience 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 161 

that it disturbs the midnight slumbers and gives no 
rest until peace is made with both man and God. 

God Calls Through the Events of Providence. 

The Bible may be left unread, the church may be 
forsaken, the warnings of conscience may be stifled, 
but God may then speak in the events of Providence 
with such emphasis that his voice will be heard. 
Nebuchadnezzar did not recognize God until he had 
been deposed from his throne, his glory taken from 
him, and he was driven to make his dwelling place 
in the field and eat grass with the oxen, and to have 
his body wet with the dews of heaven. It was then 
he acknowledged that God ruled in the kingdom and 
would appoint over it whomsoever he would. Have 
you been prosperous? Have you the power to make 
money? The Bible declares that God gave you that 
power. Have you had length of days? The Bible 
declares that God has given to you life and health and 
all things. Have you loved ones ? Are they not jewels 
that God has entrusted to your care ? Has he not 
blessed you in basket and store, and sent sunshine 
and rain ; given mercies new every morning and fresh 
every evening, and in the removal of the dearest ones, 
the pruning of the tree that it might bear better fruit, 
and in the deliverance from temptations, troubles and 
death spoken to you in tones of thunder? Oh 
man! Canst thou not hear? Wilt thou not give at- 
tention? Wilt thou not hearken to the voice of God? 

Adam began to make excuses. Hear the coward say, 
"I was afraid." "I was naked." "I hid myself." 



162 SOUL SAVING 

"The woman whom thou gavest me to be with me, she 
did give me of the tree and I did eat!" Instead of 
protecting his beloved companion he thrust all the 
blame and fault of his sin upon her. "She tempted 
me and I did sin" "If a sentence is to be pronounced 
let it strike Eve. If there is to be an execution, ex- 
ecute Eve. If the thunders of divine justice must 
roar let them roar over the head of Eve. If endless 
misery must come, let it come to Eve. If there are 
any deplorable consequences as the result of my sin, 
let the effect be upon Eve. If a bitter cup must be 
drunk to the dregs, let Eve drink it. She gave me of 
the tree and I did eat. Excuse me, but punish her." 
Instead of humbling himself and being penitent of his 
wickedness he began to justify himself and to make 
excuses, and are the sons of men that follow in the 
footsteps of Adam just as bad and mean and guilty 
as Adam ? When God speaks they will not hear ; when 
God calls they will not answer; when God finds 
them they begin to make excuses. Adam is no 
worse than the average sinner. His conduct is evi- 
dence that God's presence was still intact in his 
soul, and in his sin and shame he tried to hide himself 
from God. He declares that he hid himself because he 
was ashamed ; God's presence was a terror to him. 
Sin must have made a terrible change in that the new- 
made man was now afraid of his God. Why was he 
fearful? He had eaten of the forbidden fruit. He 
had transgressed the law. He had gratified a single 
desire. He had despised the goodness of God. He 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 163 

had listened to the voice of Satan. He also declared 
that he was naked, and therefore he was ashamed. It 
was not so much the nakedness of his body, but his 
unclothed soul that burdened him- There was no 
shame until he made shame. Shame makes the sin- 
ner shrink from God; wish there was no God; wish 
that God could not see him, or wish that he could 
hide away from God and cover up his wickedness. 
Thus, in the fear of God and the shame of sin Adam 
is a good representative of the human race. 

He endeavors to hide himself amongst the trees of 
the Garden, but what trees are large enough under 
which the human soul may seek refuge from its God? 
Some try to hide behind the trees of rationalism. 
Some hie away and endeavor to hide themselves be- 
hind the trees of sensual pleasure. Some behind the 
trees of theological traditions, dogmas, and human con- 
fessions, and some behind the trees of a feeble and in- 
distinct belief in universal salvation, but alas; poor 
hiding places ; vain refuge of lies ! Such an attempt 
at hiding is impossible. God's eyes run to and fro 
through the earth, and his presence is everywhere. It 
is utter folly to try and hide away from him. 

I read not long since of a burglar who found while 
robbing an unoccupied dwelling at the seaside, a 
marble bust of Guido's Christ, crowned with thorns, 
standing on a bracket in the corner of a room. It was 
so placed that the face of Jesus could behold every 
part of the room. The guilty robber left the marks 
of his fingers upon it, where he had examined it, and 



164 SOUL SAVING 

replaced it with the face turned toward the wall, as if 
he would not have the sightless eyes of even a marble 
Savior looking upon his deeds of infamy. And so it 
was that the first sinner tried to hide himself from 
the face of God and the sound of his voice. 

The only safe refuge for man is in Christ Jesus. 
He seeks man, calls man from among the trees, and 
chases him from out his hiding place, as if to say, 
"Adam, where art thou ?" "I am searching for thee 
wherever thou mayest be. I will look for thee until 
mine eyes shall see thee in pity- I will follow thee until 
mine arms shall encircle thee. I will call for thee 
until thou shalt answer" "I will reach out my mercy 
until I can bring thee back." Yea, God has a habit 
of pursuing transgressors. He pursued Adam and 
Eve in the Garden of Eden by his voice. He pur- 
sued Jonah on the ocean deep by his wind. He pur- 
sued David by his Prophet Nathan. He pursued 
Ahab by the man of God, Elijah. He pursued Herod 
by John the Baptist, and he is pursuing you by his 
word, his Spirit, his providence, his ministers, his peo- 
ple. You cannot hide from him. Darkness will not 
hide you. Secrecy will not avail you. Material defense 
will not ward off his coming ; distance will not prevent 
it; the lapse of time will not hinder him; excuses will 
be of no avail. He will pursue until you come out from 
your hiding place and surrender, and call upon him for 
mercy, and if you will not come forth from your hiding 
place at his call you will surely be arrested, brought to 
judgment, and condemned as a traitor and a rebel. 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 165 

Adam had to answer, and so will you have to 
answer. The sooner attention is given, the better. 
Your attitude should be, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant 
heareth." "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do." 
"God, be merciful to me, a sinner." "Lord, here am 
I; send me." It is high time that you were giving 
attention to the voice of God, and recognizing the 
presence of God. "Where art thou ?" is an inquiry ad- 
dressed to you- Art thou in the kingdom of heaven, 
or out of it? Art thou near to thy Father or far 
from him? Art thou in the sunshine of God's pres- 
ence, or hiding behind some shadow ? Are you travel- 
ing the narrow path that leads to eternal life, or the 
broad road that leads to destruction? Where do you 
stand on the question of God? The question of the 
Bible? The question of the Church, and the question 
of heaven? Where art thou in business? Are you 
providing things honest in the sight of all men? 
Where art thou in society? Art thou^ practicing 
purity? Where art thou on the question of salva- 
tion? Have you been saved by the blood of Christ? 
Where do you stand on the subject of eternal things? 
Have you believed unto life everlasting? 

I would like to put this question to the backslider, 
to those who have turned away from Christ and 
the Church, from God and Heaven : "Where art 
thou?" Are you not living in sin? Are you not 
under the greater condemnation? Are you not 
searing your conscience and hardening your heart? 
Is not your second state worse than the first? Will 



166 SOUL SAVING 

not your judgment be greater than though you had 
never known the love of the Lord, Jesus Christ? Oh, 
then will you not "hear the voice of God, and 
come forth from your hiding places that you may 
again enjoy the pardon of sins, peace with God, com- 
munion with Christ, fellowship with his people, and 
the blessed hope of heaven? 

To you Christian people, "Where art thou?" You 
know the truth: do you live it? "Unto him that 
knoweth to do good and doeth it not, it is sin." "If 
ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them." 
If you neglect to practice what you preach, to live 
what you profess, then you will have a name to live 
when you are dead. One of the greatest powers for 
the conversion of man is a living Christian. A skeptic 
once said to a young Christian, "All Christians are 
shams and hypocrites." "But," said the young man, 
"not all of them. There is at least one exception, and 
that is my mother." Christians, where art thou on 
the subject of soul-saving? If Christ is all and all 
to your soul should you not desire to have him become 
all and all to the souls of others? If you have had 
your thirst for God quenched ought you not to hand 
the water of everlasting life to those around you? If 
you have been redeemed by the Son of God ought you 
not to seek the redemption of others? If Christ is 
precious to you, would he not be precious to your 
loved ones who know him not? Christians, where art 
thou in the practice of your religion? Have you put 
the light under a bushel where it cannot be seen ? Oh, 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 167 

will you not turn over the basket and set the light upon 
the table that it may light all in the house? Will 
you not let your light so shine that others may see 
your good works and glorify your Father which is 
in heaven ? Christians, where art thou ? Are not some 
of you indifferent and lukewarm? Is it not time that 
you were renewing your energies and redoubling your 
efforts for the salvation of your loved ones? Is it 
not high time that you were working out your own 
salvation in fear and in trembling? Have you not 
friends near and dear to you still out of the kingdom ? 
There is blame — upon whom? There is responsibility 
— where ? 

To you who are not Christians: you have been 
wandering from the Father's home. You have taken 
your portion of the goods and have been spending 
it in riotous living. You have strayed far upon the 
mountains of sin. You have eaten of the fruit of 
life — you are now in hiding. You are trying to hide 
behind your moralities, your business ambitions, your 
polluted life. Some of you are trying to hide away in 
your independence, claiming that you are proud and 
rich and increased with goods, and have need of noth- 
ing; that you have been building a nest for yourself 
and compassing it about against the blasts of fortune, 
that you may be secure against the calamities and mis- 
fortunes of your life. Some of you are trifling, and 
asking to be let alone for a time; to wait a little 
while for a convenient season, and then you will listen 
to the voice of God ; then you will turn from sin ; 



168 SOUL SAVING 

then you will enter the kingdom ; then you will follow 
Christ; then you will read the Bible; then you will 
pray ; then you will work for the salvation of precious 
souls. But God is calling to all of you, "Where art 
thou?" He sees you in your hiding places; he dis- 
covers you behind your rocks of sin, your trees of neg- 
ligence- He sees you in the caves of doubt and infidel- 
ity; he notices you as you flee from his presence 
through the brambles; he sees you as you enter the 
saloon, or the brothel. His eye is sharp to detect your 
dishonesties in business, your cowardice in religious 
conduct, your immoralities in society, your profanity 
of things sacred, your negligence of the precious sal- 
vation brought to your door. Oh, then, why do you 
seek these vain hiding places? Why not come forth 
and answer the call of God to your soul? Answer 
me now, Where art thou? Are you a son of God, 
or a son of Bael? Christ declares that you are the 
child of God or the child of the devil — a hard saying, 
but with which class is your name registered? An- 
swer me: Where art thou? With Christ or against 
him? Jesus declares "he that is not with me is 
against me, and he that gathereth not with me scatter- 
eth abroad." "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. 
You must love the one and hate the other." Answer 
me: where art thou in the preparation for eternity? 
Are you a vessel of mercy, being prepared for glory, 
or a vessel of wrath being fitted for destruction? Are 
you building on the loose, shifting sand, or the firm, 
solid rock, your hopes of an eternal home? 



GOD CALLING TO MAN 169 

Iti closing, I plead with you to take heed how you 
hear the voice of God. Hear it humbly, for it is 
God that speaks, and you have the assurance if you 
will humble yourself before him and confess your 
sins, he will hear from heaven and pardon. Hear 
prayerfully, for Jehovah is a God that hears and an- 
swers prayers, and he has promised that whatsoever 
you ask in the name of his Son he will give unto you. 
Oh, will you not hear the voice of God today, and 
consider the great question of "where art thou?" at- 
tentively, seriously, and with an earnest desire to 
have your soul saved? Will you not hear that voice 
and come forth to obey it? It was disobedience that 
caused Adam to lose Paradise and made Cain a vaga- 
bond and wanderer upon the face of the earth. It was 
obedience that saved Noah, the builder of the Ark; 
that blessed Moses, the law -giver of Israel; that ex- 
alted David to the kingdom of Israel; that brought 
healing to Naman, the Syrian leper; and salvation to 
the soul of every Christian. 

Where art thou? Oh, could I ask this question as 
the servant of the Most High God ! Could I speak it 
in tones of thunder! Could I ring it out as with 
silvery bells ! Could I write it as an ominous hand 
upon the walls of your hearts ! Could I sink it deep in- 
to your souls and write it indelibly upon your minds 
that it would be uppermost in your thoughts, not only 
while you hear it from the pulpit, but when you walk 
to your homes and lie down upon your couches ! Oh, 
that it would disturb your slumbers, rouse you in your 



170 SOUL SAVING 

dreams, and be the first thought on waking in the 
morning! If I could, I would place it before you in 
your walk upon the street, in the marts of trade, in 
the office, and counting room, upon the shelves of the 
store, upon the ledger in the office, upon the typewriter 
that you use, on the utensils with which you cook, on 
the implements and tools with which you labor! 
Where art thou? Where art thou? Are you saved 
or unsaved? Are you a believer or unbeliever? Are 
you a Christian or non-Christian? Are you on the 
way to heaven or to hell? Where art thou? Where 
art thou? 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 

''Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man 
hear my voice let him open the door and I will come 
in and sup ivith him and he with me." — Rev. 3 :20. 

This language was originally addressed to the 
church at Laodicea. This city was located about forty 
miles from Ephesus and was once large and flourishing 
but was destroyed by earthquakes, abandoned, and 
now lies in lonely ruins. The declining church was in 
a state of lukewarmness. "I would thou wert cold or 
hot." Cold water is refreshing, hot water pleasant, 
tepid water sickening. Cold in religious matters im- 
plies absence of religion, — lifeless, dead- Hot refers 
to zeal and fervency in religious services, but to be 
neither cold nor hot denotes a state of indifference 
which is the worst temper in the world. If religion 
is genuine then it is a most excellent thing and we 
should be in earnest. If it is a counterfeit then it is 
an imposter and we should oppose it. Having every 
assurance that it is genuine it is better to be decidedly 
in its favor instead of being lukewarm, thoughtless 
and careless. 

It was a state of pride and self satisfaction: thou 
sayest, "I am rich and increased with goods and have 
need of nothing ;" but knowing their real condition re- 



172 SOUL SAVING 

minds us of insane men who think themselves illustri- 
ous heroes; drunken paupers who think themselves 
millionaires and poor beggars who think themselves 
kings of the first order. 

It was a state of abject wretchedness: knowest 
not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, 
and blind, and naked?" "Wretched," though they may 
dance and sing, yet they are as outcasts and are per- 
ishing. "Miserable," though lauded by princes and 
priests, yet the real object of pity and commiseration. 
"Blind," though the physical optics are sound, yet 
spiritually they see not- "Poor," with all their preten- 
sions to piety they have not religion sufficient to meet 
the trials and afflictions of life. "Naked," though 
robed in splendor, they were spiritually unclothed; 
naked in soul, without the garment of salvation. 
What a terrible and alarming condition is the luke- 
warm professor herein described. It is a state of im- 
minent peril. "I will spue them out of my mouth." 
Christ will not dwell in a church of this character. 
He will not dwell in the heart of the lukewarm. "Ich- 
abod" is written over the door; the glory is departed. 
No wonder he commands them to be zealous and re- 
pent! No wonder he rebukes and chastens the back- 
sliding professor of religion ! No wonder he counsels 
them to buy of him grace without money, gold tried 
in the fire, white raiment to clothe their nakedness, 
and ointment with which to anoint their blind eyes 
that they may be reinstated in his love and enjoy his 
fellowship- Every lukewarm professor that hears this 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 173 

description of his perilous condition and the tender im- 
portunity of Jesus to open the heart, should repent, 
confess his sins, hold fast that which remains, and 
fan the flickering flame into a glowing heat. Oh, wan- 
dering soul, come back to your first love. Why not 
cry out today: "Be gone, ye idols of my heart; only 
Christ shall dwell there." Why not cry out: "Come 
in, thou blessed Lord, why standest thou without?" 

This text may also be applied to the unsaved — to 
those unacquainted with the saving power of Christ. 
What amazing condescension on the part of Jesus! 
At the Door: it is a wonder that he should be there 
at all. He who has suffered such unspeakable wrongs 
comes and knocks at the door of your heart and 
asks to be admitted as a heavenly guest. He who pos- 
sesses infinite treasures of love and who embraces all 
creatures within his arms, comes down from heaven 
and stands at your door, as if you were worthy such 
humiliation. Elsewhere in the Scriptures you are in- 
vited to come to him ; to pray for forgiveness ; to faint 
not ; to seek him while he may be found ; to call upon 
him while he is near; to knock at the door of his 
mercy ; to strive to enter in at the straight gate. But 
in this text he is represented as knocking at the door 
of your heart, pleading with you to open and admit 
him. It is not, will he hear, but will you hear; not 
will he open the door of mercy to you, but will you 
open the door of your heart unto him. It is not, will 
you seek him; but he seeks you and comes to 
you. Will you keep the heart closed against him 



174 SOUL SAVING 

while he stands there knocking and pleading for 
entrance ? 

Look at the beautiful figure — Christ without, stand- 
ing at the door ; the Just and the Holy One ; the Son 
of God and the Savior of men; the Divine Being, 
adored by angels ; the Chief among ten thousand ; the 
Altogether Lovely. He is represented by a great artist 
as standing holding a brilliant light, knocking at a door 
in which there is darkness, and asking to be admitted 
as the Light of the World. Yes, Christ the King, 
Christ, the Teacher, Christ the Priest, Christ, the 
First and the Last, All and in all, so zealous for your 
salvation, as to come from heaven to earth to be 
fashioned like unto men, bone of your bone, and flesh 
of your flesh, standing at the door, knocking and 
asking if you will open unto him. It appears to be 
in the cool of the evening; the cares of the day are 
over ; it is now the hour of relaxation ; the solitude 
of the evening disposes the mind to serious thought; 
alone with its quiet influences; alone, and may be, in 
the spirit of silence and peace, and ready to approach 
the chamber for a night of undisturbed rest. Listen! 
the footsteps of Jesus are heard on the threshold, 
coming, perhaps for his last visit, and in great love 
and condescension, with great earnestness and impor- 
tunity, he knocks at the door of the heart. Oh, what 
anxiety and solicitude he must possess when he comes 
so far and entreats so tenderly, to recover from 
wretchedness and woe and to save a soul from death. 

He not only stands, but knocks- In the East there 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 175 

are great iron knockers; many of them may be seen 
today. Many of the houses have but one door, with 
its huge knocker fastened upon it, and those desiring 
admission knock and use this method of arousing 
the inmates and -calling their attention to the stranger 
or friend seeking admission ; thus, Christ comes to 
the door of the sinner's heart. He sometimes knocks 
at one door to the soul and sometimes at another. He 
knocks at the door of your intellect. He comes with 
all the evidence of reasonableness of his faith and 
claims, and there is no show of reason that you can 
present that can refute his arguments. 

He knocks at the door of your Conscience: he 
shows his goodness and righteousness and appeals to 
your conscience that he ought to be obeyed. 

He knocks at the door of your affection : he seeks 
to arouse within you the spirit of gratitude in response 
to his love and mercy and what he is doing to save 
your soul. 

He knocks at the door of your fear: he strives to 
alarm and awaken you to the fearful looking for of 
judgment, and in view of the terrors to come, he 
would persuade you to open unto him. 

He knocks at the door of your hope : he hangs 
out before you the most blessed prospect of eternal 
life, with all it embraces — peace, joy and glory. He 
knocks at the door of your heart — of your darkened, 
perverted, hardened and alienated heart that should 
be melted by his tenderness, goodness, forbearance and 
long-suffering. Unfortunately, your heart is closed 



176 SOUL SAVING 

against him. Your heart is bolted by unbelief. You 
do not believe the statements of Revelation. You do 
not believe Jesus to be the Son of God or you would 
accept him. It was said of him that he could not 
perform miracles in a certain place because of their 
unbelief, and because of your unbelief the invitations 
do not allure you, the promises do not attract you, 
and the Gospel will not save you. 

Your heart is bolted by Satan. He dwells there, his 
scepter reigns there, his sentinels are on command. 

Your heart is bolted by self -righteousness- Vanity 
and pride reign within. No matter how you think or 
feel about it, except your righteousness exceeds the 
righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees you cannot 
enter into the kingdom of heaven. No man can be 
saved by works lest he should boast. Christ cannot 
dwell with sin. Ye cannot love sin and love God at 
the same time. Light hath no fellowship with dark- 
ness, neither has sin with holiness. 

Your heart is bolted by love of the world. The 
affairs of this life absorb the affection of the heart 
and the desires of the mind. Worldly honors, riches 
and pleasures are preferred to the honors, riches and 
pleasures of Christ. 

Your heart is bolted by ignorance. You have never 
taken the time to search the word of God to see 
whether these things about salvation be true. Souls 
perishing for lack of knowledge; minds darkened by 
the God of this world. The ox knoweth his master's 
voice, but people made in the image of God will not 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 177 

consider; will not ponder over the momentus question 
of soul salvation. "Israel doth not know; my people 
doth not consider." 

Behold, how he knocks. Sometimes by his daily 
bounties. He comes to you in showers of blessing. 
He sends fruitful seasons and times of rejoicing. 
His mercies are new every morning and fresh every 
evening. He shows mercy upon mercy, privilege upon 
privilege. He blesses you with family and friends; 
with happy and loving homes; with prosperity in 
worldly affairs; with balm in the hour of sickness; 
with deliverance from dangers; with every possible 
earthly good ; thus he seeks to awaken your gratitude, 
to draw forth your love, and to constrain you to open 
the door unto him. 

He sometimes knocks through afflictions. Sickness 
may come to the family. The heavy hand of trouble 
may be placed upon you. Disappointments may come 
to your soul ; the broad wings of poverty may flap over 
your home; sorrow, deep, and terrible, may cast its 
gloom, pall-like, over your life ; the nearest and dear- 
est on earth may be taken from you. You may be 
humbled, crushed, and heart-broken, and in the midst 
of such troubles and sorrows, Christ may come to 
you, knock mercifully and ask for admittance. It 
was not till Nebuchadnezzar was deposed from his 
throne and humbled to the earth ; not till his body was 
wet with the dews of heaven and he ate grass like the 
oxen, did he acknowledge that God ruled in the king- 
dom and would appoint over it whomsoever he would. 



178 SOUL SAVING 

He sometimes knocks through the sermons you hear. 
His ministers are commanded to preach the gospel to 
every creature ; to warn, exhort, and persuade men to 
obey the gospel. They are commanded to go out into 
the highways and hedges and compel them to come 
in. Knowing the gracious offers of his gospel they 
invite you to kiss the Son lest he be angry. They plead 
with you to accept the terms of pardon and peace and 
eternal life that are offered unto you. When these 
Gospel appeals come to your soul it is Jesus Christ 
knocking and asking you to open unto him. 

He sometimes knocks through his word. You meet 
with his word on all hands ; in the church, in the libra- 
ry, on the center table, and the silence of your room. 
It proclaims the truth of God, and testifies of the love 
and mercy of Jesus, of his willingness, readiness and 
ability to save. - In every precept and promise, in 
every chapter and on every page his word appeals to 
you to open your heart and let him come in. 

He sometimes knocks by his Spirit. The Spirit 
was sent to convict men of sin, righteousness, and 
judgment to come. He sent the Spirit and the Spirit 
came to stir up your conscience and arouse your sen- 
sibilities. Will you grieve and wound, resist and 
quench the Holy Spirit? Why not hear the voice of 
the Spirit, saying, "Come." Why not open the door 
of your heart and let him come in ? 

He sometimes knocks by the prayers and desires of 
your loved ones- Paul declared that his heart's desire 
and prayer for Israel was that she might be saved. 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 179 

Have you a beloved mother, or father, or sister or 
brother, or companion? It may be that dear one is 
earnestly desiring and persistently praying for your 
salvation, and through these prayers God would 
blockade your pathway to ruin and turn you about to 
think of your salvation and to think of the tender 
appeal of Jesus to open the door of your heart and 
let him come in. 

Why does Christ knock ? He is anxious for your 
salvation. He knows the infinite value of your perish- 
ing soul. He knows its high capabilities. He knows 
that it should resemble God and rejoice in him. He 
knows that it should love and worship God. He knows 
its terrible peril, and he knows that it is lost/ — like 
the lost sheep or the lost piece of silver or the lost 
child. He knocks because he desires to enter the 
heart to cleanse it, to purify it, to make it faithful 
and true, and to make it one with him in thought, af- 
fection and deed. He desires to enter your heart to 
save your soul from sin and death. 

He has many precious messages for you. He has 
a message of knowledge. He is called the Counsellor. 
In him is hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowl- 
edge. It was said of him, "Thou knowest all things-" 
He is the wisdom of God. He is the solution of your 
every problem. He has a message of pardon for you. 
In him is redemption, even the forgiveness of sins. 
He alone hath power to forgive sins. He has power 
to wash away your sins and cleanse your souls and 
make them as white as snow. He has a message of 



180 SOUL SAVING 

truth for you — not a fable, not a lie, not a romance, 
but the truth, cleansing, saving, sanctifying truth. He 
has a message of peace for you. Is there discord and 
rebellion in your heart? He has a peace not like the 
peace of the world; a peace that passeth all under- 
standing. Your peace is like the troubled sea that is 
never at rest, but the peace Jesus has for you will 
bring rest to your souls. He has a message of love 
for you. Hear him declare that God is love; that 
God loved you and gave his Son to die for you. His 
love is pure, unselfish and unadulterated. He has a 
message of hope for you. The hopes of this world 
may disappoint you, may overwhelm your soul with 
sorrow, but Christ's hope is well-founded. It is a 
lively hope. Christ within, the hope of eternal glory 
will never disappoint you. He has a message of rec- 
onciliation. God was in Christ reconciling the world 
unto himself. He is the Way, the Life and the Truth. 
No man can come unto the Father save by him- 
Through him the Father will receive you and forgive 
you. 

It is your duty to hear his voice : To hear it humbly, 
prayerfully, attentively, thoughtfully; to hear it with- 
out prejudice; to hear it with a desire to be benefited 
thereby; to hear it and heed and obey it. 

It is your duty to open the door. You have this 
power— None other has; not an angel of heaven, not 
the mighty sea, not the raging wind, not the devour- 
ing fire. You alone have the power to refuse or the 
power to open. You have kept Jesus outside and 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 181 

freely admitted other guests. You have been reluctant 
to open the door to Christ, to admit him to your con- 
duct, conversation and character, to accept his max- 
ims and principles — to let his scepter of righteousness 
reign supreme. You have voluntarily excluded Christ, 
shut your heart to his every appeal, deadened your 
conscience to every conviction, and filled your heart 
with pleasure, business and sin. Yes, my friend, you 
have shut Christ out. The house is yours, the door 
and the keys are yours. Christ will not come in un- 
invited and unwelcomed. You must remove the bar- 
riers. You must unbolt the door. You must take 
the key and turn back the lock. You must open the 
door by faith, by love, by repentance, by confession, 
by obedience. You must open it cheerfully and admit 
him. It is your exalted privilege to admit him. "If 
any man will open." Thereby, you are taught that 
you may and should open the door. It is your pre- 
rogative- You have the power to say "Enter," and 
the power to say "Depart;" therefore, the opening of 
the door depends upon you. This is in perfect har- 
mony with reason, with Scripture, and with history. 

It is your advantage to open the door of your heart 
and let him come in. Surely, it is an honor to enter- 
tain such a divine guest. From an earthly standpoint, 
to entertain, any great guest, a Senator, Governor, 
President, Prince or King is considered a great honor. 
To sit down at a table and enjoy the hospitality of a 
great friend is considered a privilege and a blessing. 
Think of it! the divine indwelling of God. Christ 



182 SOUL SAVING 

within you. Ye are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 
God dwells in the humble and contrite heart. You 
may wonder at this indwelling, but we are assured 
that he dwells there by faith. Christ your host; "He 
with Me." Christ within, as a friend; not an enemy to 
entice you to sin. Christ within as a loving guest in 
whom you may put your trust that you may dwell 
safely. A powerful guest, who is able to succor you 
in the time of temptation; a sympathetic guest that 
will never leave you. A guest that sticketh closer 
than a brother. You have the advantage of not only 
the divine indwelling, but of the divine fellowship. 
"I will sup with him." He spreads his own table- He 
brings his own food. He prepares his own feast. 
He gives his own invitation. He invites you to heaven- 
ly communion. He invites you to a feast of pardon 
and love. His grace is abundant. His love is inex- 
haustible. His provisions are everlasting. He invites 
you to the fellowship of his sufferings and his joy; 
of his peace and his power; of his mercy and his 
hope ; of his enduring riches and glory. 

"Our Father is rich in houses and lands, 
He holds the wealth of the world in his hands ; 
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold — 
His coffers are full, he has riches untold." 

He invites you to eat for his bread will give 
strength; to drink, for his water will bubble up into 
everlasting life and refresh thy heart. You may eat 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 183 

and drink and spare not, for he has a daily renewal 
of bread and wine. You may eat and drink and be 
strengthened and cheered until you attain to the Par- 
adise of God where they neither hunger nor thirst any 
more. Oh, what a blessed fellowship and mutual com- 
munion ! What a blessed joy and hope! Then, will 
you not open your heart unto this great Shepherd that 
your souls may not want? He who provided manna 
for the children of Israel, sent the ravens to feed 
Elijah, replenished the barrel of meal and the cruise 
of oil for the poor widow, and opened the prison doors 
for the apostles, will surely bring untold blessings to 
your soul and make your heart the temple of God. 

It is dangerous not to open. He knocked at the 
gates of Sodom and Gomorrah ; of Tyre and Sidon ; 
of Ninevah and Babylon ; of Bethsaida and Chorazin 
and they refused to admit him, and woe was their 
doom ! He knocked long and loud at the gates of the 
Jewish nation, but they received him not, and their cities 
became desolate. He knocked long and loud at the iron 
gates of Greece and Rome, but they mocked at his mes- 
sengers and spurned the gospel of Christ as foolishness 
and Greece notwithstanding her great glory, went 
down in hopeless ruin ; and Rome, notwithstanding her 
military power, was humbled to the dust. He has 
knocked long and loud at the door of your heart. He 
has knocked with tender mercy, with pressing offers, 
with matchless love, and if you refuse to hear that 
knock and keep your hearts bolted and exclude him, he 
may cease to knock and turn away. 



184 SOUL SAVING 

Behold, he stands ready to depart. If you will not 
open the doors of your hearts to him now he will 
not open the doors of heaven to you hereafter. If you 
now say to him, "Depart," he will say to you on the 
day of judgment, "Depart, I know you not!" Would 
it not be a sad spectacle to rise on that day and find the 
gates of heaven shut, and to knock for admission and 
find no entrance. He once knocked at the doors of the 
hearts of the five foolish virgins, but they would not 
admit him ; the curtain of death is lifted ; we now be- 
hold the five foolish virgins knocking at the gates of 
heaven, crying, "Lord, Lord; open to us." Listen to 
the voice that comes from within those jasper walls, 
"Depart from me; I know ye not, ye workers of in- 
iquity." 

The invitation is to any man. To the. young; to 
those who are starting in life ; to those who have long 
resisted the gospel invitation; to the aged sinner who 
has given most of his life to the service of Mammon 
and Satan; to those who prefer the pleasures of this 
life to the pleasures of the life to come ; to those who 
have wandered far from heaven; to those who have 
fallen from grace ; to those who have backslidden 
with a perpetual backsliding; to those in the gall of 
bitterness and the bonds of iniquity ; to those who feel 
there is no mercy and no hope for them. He has 
knocked in great mercy and love at the door of your 
hearts. He has knocked in great patience and for- 
bearance at the door of your hearts. Oh, will you 
not hear, open the door of your heart, and let him 



CHRIST AT THE DOOR 185 

come in ? Will you not break with evil and make peace 
with God? Will you not put forth the hand of faith 
and unbolt the door that the Sun of Righteousness 
may shine in your hearts? Will you not admit him 
now ere he ceases to knock and turn away? Will you 
not cry out to him now, "Here, Lord, I open wide 
the door. Come in and be my guest forevermore." 

I read somewhere a story related by Dr. Arnot, a 
faithful preacher of Edinboro, Scotland, that beau- 
tifuly illustrates this text: 

"I was visiting," said he, "among my people of 
Edinburg. I stood away back, and looked up at the 
high houses to see whether Betty Gordon, an aged 
saint of God, was at home. I knew that she was at 
home by this sign: that her little flower pots were 
out upon her window sill, that the blind was up. I 
knew Betty was in, for when she went away she care- 
fully took in the flower-pots and pulled down the 
blinds. I knew that she was poor and needy, but she 
trusted God, and I was so glad that somebody had 
given me some money that morning to give to the poor. 
I put aside Betty's rent for a month in my pocket and 
climbed up the winding stone stairs to Betty's door. 
At first I knocked softly, but there was no answer. 
Then I pulled the bell, but there was no answer. Then 
I knocked louder, but there was no answer. At last I 
said, 'Betty forgot to pull down the blinds, and she 
has gone out, leaving her flower-pots there. What a 
pity!' Then I went down the stairs. 

"The next morning I went back and knocked at the 



186 SOUL SAVING 

door. After a little waiting, Betty came and opened 
it- 

" 'Oh/ she said, 'is it you, Mr. Arnot ? I am so 
glad to see you ! Come in !' There were tears in her 
eyes, and a look of care. 

"I said, 'Betty, woman, what are you crying for?' 
'Oh,' she said, 'Mr. Arnot, I am so afraid, so afraid 
of the landlord. He came yesterday and I had na the 
rent, and I dinna open the door, and now I am 
afraid of his coming; for he is a hard man.' 'Betty, 
what time did he come yesterday?' 'He came be- 
tween eleven and twelve o'clock,' she said. 'It was 
twenty-five minutes to twelve.' 

" 'Well/ I said, 'it was na the landlord ; it was I, 
and I brought to you, Betty, this money to pay your 
rent/ 

"She looked at me, and said, 'Oh, was it you? Did 
you bring me that money to pay my rent, and I kept 
the door shut against you, and I would na let you in? 
And I heard you knocking, and I heard your ringing, 
and I said, That is the landlord ; I wish he would go 
away. And it was my ain meenister. It was my ain 
Lord who had sent ye as his messenger, and I would 
na let ye in ?' " 

That is just like some sinners. When Jesus is 
knocking at their hearts they treat him as if he were 
a hard landlord and will not let him in. Oh, let me 
beseech of you, receive the Savior now, let him come 
in now ere he departs. 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 

"Be sure your sins will find you out!" — 
Numbers 32:23. 

These words were uttered by Moses, — a man of 
broad experience, of learning and wisdom, and one 
who had lived in close fellowship with God. He had 
seen sin in all of its forms and enormity, and had 
witnessed its punishment with the utmost severity. 
These words may be applied in a sense to every sin, 
but were spoken especially of bad deeds, that go forth 
on their mischievous errands, but are sure to return 
home and bring retiribution with them. The proverb 
is true of sins as well as pennies — "a bad penny comes 
back;" true of crimes as well as curses — "curses, like 
chickens, always come home to roost." 

Most people, in committing sin, count on escaping 
detection, hence the importance of exposing this vain 
expectation. They indulge the hope of concealment, 
as if to say, neither man nor the Lord shall know, but 
we shall see that the escape from the results and de- 
tection of sin is impossible- 
One cannot hope to escape by lapse of time. Sin 
is the transgression of the law. It is poison in the 
blood. It is a thorn in the flesh, and it is useless to 
say, "Let bygones be bygones ;" "let time efface it," for 



188 SOUL SAVING 

there is no statute of limitations in regard to the pay- 
ment of the debt of sin. A note may be outlawed in 
ten or twenty years and the debt be cancelled in the 
sight of the law. Not so in regard to sin. Lot 
chose the rich plains of Sodom and Gomorrah, but 
years afterwards, he reaped domestic ruin. Saul's 
bloody house was the penalty of his sins. 

It is impossible to escape by concealment. One may 
think sin safely buried, like a murdered corpse, and 
that grass will grow over the grave — but it is only 
awaiting a sure resurrection. Adam tried to hide his 
sin, but he could not ; Achan tried to conceal the stolen 
goods, but he could not. Even when concealment 
seems possible the sinner frequently, in awe of himself 
and under the sting of his own wickedness, makes con- 
fession in hope of receiving pardon. Sometimes it is 
a strange combination of circumstances that brings the 
sin to light when concealment seemed certain. 

The sinner cannot escape by good works. A change 
of life is most commendable, but if the sins are not 
pardoned by the Lord Jesus Christ no good deeds, no 
amends, and no substitution, will wipe out the fruits 
of wickedness. Jacob had to bear the burden of de- 
ceiving his father and wronging his brother. David 
was pardoned, yet he was followed by the terrible con- 
sequences of his own sin. In Nature there is nothing 
annihilated : the lump of coal, the decaying plant, the 
buried body may be changed, but they pass into an- 
other existence — not out of existence; so it is with 
sin. Its consequences cannot be hid. All efforts at 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 189 

concealment, good works, annihilation, and distance 
from the place of commission or lapse of time will be 
of no avail, for it is an eternal law that sin cannot 
be covered ; that sin will be found out ; that its effects 
will remain and in some way will be revealed- 

Sin brings its own punishment. It has staying qual- 
ities. As sure as it had a seed time it will have a 
harvest time. It will be found out, no matter what 
pains are taken to prevent it. Phocas built a palace for 
his security, and after he entered it he heard a voice 
calling, "Oh Emperor, though thou build thy wall as 
high as the clouds, if sin be within it will overthrow 
all." 

The source of sin is in the depraved heart. "I was 
shapen in iniquity and born in sin !" "In my flesh 
dwelleth no good thing." The works of the flesh are 
manifest in everybody. The heart is deceitful above 
all things. The carnal mind is enmity to God. Sin 
is universal. We find it everywhere — amongst all peo- 
ple, throughout all nations. Sin is sin, no matter how 
it is classified. The besetting sin is the master sin, 
like the master bee of the hive. It is the Samson of 
the Israelites; the Goliath of the Phillistines. It is 
the hardest sin to give up. It is the sin that pricks 
the conscience when under conviction. It is generally 
the worst habit and of longest standing- The besetting- 
sin of some is dishonesty ; of some profanity ; of some 
licentiousness; of some fault-finding; of some in- 
fidelity. 

Secret sins are those bad deeds committed in con- 



190 SOUL SAVING 

cealment. They are known only to God and to the 
participants. There are many people whose social and 
public life is passable, but whose private life is marred 
with secret sins. Many people fail in life without 
apparent cause, but they know, and God knows, the 
failure is due to secret sin. Many drop into untimely 
graves because of secret sins. "He that covereth his 
sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and for- 
sakes them shall have mercy." The cry of all those 
guilty of secret sins should be the prayer of the 
Prophet, "Oh, Lord, cleanse thou me of secret faults." 

Little sins are the curse of many people. Some men 
would not think of committing theft, adultery or mur- 
der, but sear their souls with little sins. They escape 
the rocks and wreck upon the sand. They are not 
troubled by the biting dog, but are bitten by the little 
fleas. It was a little blaze that started the Chicago 
fire. Little grains of sand overtake and smother whole 
caravans. A little worm in a plank of a ship can do 
as much damage as a cannon ball. A little scratch 
on a diamond will lessen its value. The most annoy- 
ing cancers had small beginnings. Little sins make 
way for greater sins. They keep swelling and increas- 
ing until their influence is felt in body, soul and spirit. 

The Sins of Youth- An old man once wrote that 
his bones were filled with the sins of his youth, and 
he would lie down with them in the dust. Youth may 
be warned, but they heed not. They sow their wild 
oats as if they would never have any consequences. 
Experience is a hard master, and he who profits by 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 191 

his experience is wise, but he who profits by the ex- 
perience of another is doubly wise. The youth who 
thinks that he can live a life of sin without experienc- 
ing any evil effects makes a fatal mistake, and will 
have to suffer the consequences ; for every sin com- 
mitted in youth there will be a penalty to be paid in 
after life. Mirabeau said, "Oh, if I had not spent 
my youth in sin, my middle age in folly, then I could 
have saved France!" 

Presumptuous sins are the sinful and deliberate acts 
of unkindness and cruelty. Judas deliberately sold 
Christ. Ahab committed a presumptuous sin when he 
murdered Naboth. The man who deliberately dese- 
crates the Lord's Day is a presumptuous sinner "The 
soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether \,e be 
born in the land of the stranger, the same approacheth 
the Lord, and the same shall be cut off from among 
the people." 

Sins of omission, though not openly so flagrant, are 
in many respects as bad as sins of commission. Oft- 
times failure to perform a duty has serious results. 
Many lives have been hurled into Eternity as a result 
of a dispatcher failing to do his duty. If your friend is 
in distress and you can relieve him, and you do not, you 
are guilty of a sin of omission. The failure to attend to 
soul salvation will result in eternal condemnation. The 
man of plenty refused the crumb to the poor beggar, 
but was afterward refused a drop of water to quench 
his burning thirst. "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto the 
least of these, my brethren, ye did it not unto me." 



192 SOUL SAVING 

We shall carry the classification of sin no further, 
but turn to the great thought of our text. "Be sure 
your sins will find you out-" The retribution is cer- 
tain. There is no hiding place for the wicked. 

Be sure your sins will find you out in the body. No 
matter how strong in body and vigorous in constitu- 
tion, sin will weaken the body and wreck the constitu- 
tion. Certain diseases follow certain sins. There is an 
intimate connection between sin and its physical con- 
sequences. Sin will tell on the health. Sin will bring 
suffering to the body. It is the law of Nature — there is 
no exception to it. The body is designed to be a useful 
servant, and not a burden to the soul, but when men 
disregard the laws of health and recklessly use their 
bodies they will become old in body while young in 
years. Sin is followed with disease — diseases in the 
blood, brain, stomach and nerves. Take, for example, 
the vice of dissipation and excess : do they not betray 
themselves in the looks, in the eyes, the gait, the bloated 
faces, the red noses, the softened muscles, the decay- 
ing health, and the wasted fortunes of the victim ? The 
mark of sin is placed upon the body beyond the power 
of cosmetics and grace of manners to conceal. Disease 
may be hereditary, — the result of misfortune, but oft- 
times it can be traced directly to sin. Paralysis, stom- 
ach disorders, rheumatism, and a thousand ills that 
flesh is heir to, may be traced directly to sin. Can 
man take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be 
burned? Can one go upon hot coals and his feet not 
be burned? 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 193 

Sin will be found out upon the mind. With a weak- 
ened body comes a weakened mind. Sin weakens the 
faculties, perverts the imagination, and destroys the 
intellect. Strong minds feed upon the truth. Men, to 
retain full and free use of their mental faculties till 
old age, must live in the practice of virtue and tem- 
perance. A life of sin will enervate and result in the 
loss of mental power; it will cloud the brain, dim the 
vision, and efface the memory- Drunkenness will make 
a man as a child. Excesses make idiots and lunatics. 
Sin, in its terrible consequences, will so weaken the 
mental powers of man that he will be incapacitated for 
business and failure be the result. Women, who might 
have been of great service in the Master's vineyard and 
crowns of glory to society, have had their minds weak- 
ened and bodies enfeebled by the practice of sin. 

Sin will find you out in your character. "Righteous- 
ness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any 
people." The wicked man is loathesome, and must 
come to shame. No one covets the reputation of the 
profane, the extortioner, the miser, the adulterer or 
the infidel. There are sometimes strange inconsisten- 
cies of character which the world may not understand, 
but which God knows to be the result of a sinful life. 
Sin freely indulged produces defects of character that 
prove disastrous to the moral nature. In many in- 
stances the effect is so far-reaching as to unfit the 
sinner for meditation upon God's word, and sink him 
to such a level that he is almost beyond redemption. 

Sin will be found out in the Conscience. It destroys 



194 SOUL SAVING 

self-respect. There is no peace to the wicked. The 
freedom, confidence and peace of conscious integrity 
are driven out of the heart by sin. Sin is leprosy, not 
only to the body and character, but to the conscience. 
We suffer physical torment because of the torment of 
an accusing conscience. If the sin is concealed from 
the eye of the world it is not concealed from the con- 
science, and if conscience condemns, how about God 
who is greater than the conscience? Conscience will 
bring sin to remembrance under a searching ministry 
of the Gospel, in season of sickness, in the diverse 
changes of human life, and at the near approach of 
death, and it will bring unutterable pain to the man who 
carries this accuser in his own heart. 

Sin will be found out in posterity. Its evil conse- 
quences are inflicted upon others- The iniquities of 
the fathers are visited upon the second and third gen- 
erations. The sins of Saul brought death to his own 
sons. Sometimes weak and feeble children are the 
result of the sins of the parents. Many innocent peo- 
ple have to bear the shame and disgrace of the sins 
of others. A corrupt man will impart his corruption 
to others. A bad book will contaminate every heart 
that receives it. One of the terrible curses of sin is 
the evil it brings upon the innocent persons. The curse 
of the parent is often the curse of the child. The 
bad example of the parent is too often copied by the 
child. The man who weakens his body, enfeebles his 
mind, sears his conscience, destroys his reputation, will 
curse his posterity. 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 195 

Sin will be found out in society. No man can be 
dishonest in business without it becoming known. 
The employer cannot wrong the employee without 
having to suffer for it. No man can wrong his wife 
without having a death-dealing cancer in his heart. 
The laws of virtue cannot be violated without having 
to reap terrible consequences, and one of the worst 
consequences is, that when the wickedness comes to 
light too frequently the victim is accused of things of 
which he is innocent, and made to carry burdens that 
do not belong to him. Society soon detects the scoffer, 
the intriguer, the libertine, the miser, and the adulterer. 
"Curse not the king," said the preacher, "no, not in 
thy thought, and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber, 
for the birds of the air will carry the voice, and that 
which hath wings shall tell the matter." Society pun- 
ishes the guilty by the loss of confidence and friendship, 
by public scorn and indignation. 

Sin will be found out by our rather in heaven. No 
evil doer can escape God, though he may enjoy the 
pleasures of sin for a season. Men may, for a time, 
despise the goodness, forbearance and long-suffering 
of God, but retribution will surely come. The dresser 
of the vineyard may beg for another year's reprieve, 
but the year will end. "The sinner may say God doth 
not see," but the fact is that God does see. He sees 
every sinner in his course, and he sees the results and 
the doom that will come at last. Be not deceived ; God 
is not mocked. Whatsover a man soweth that shall 
he also reap. Did not God know the sin of Adam, and 



196 SOUL SAVING 

Cain? The sin of the antidiluvians ? Who can hide 
away from the all-seeing eye of God? 

Sin will be found out at the day of judgment. It is 
appointed unto man once to die, and after death the 
judgment. On that great day there is nothing hidden 
that shall not be revealed; nothing covered that shall 
not be made known. Cursed are the dead that die in 
their sins for they have no rest from their transgres- 
sions, and their guilt follows them. Think of being 
found out in the world to come under the curse of 
eternal sin! Where the wolf will be stripped of his 
sheep's clothing and will have to stand revealed in his 
gaunt, ghastly and sinful character and hear ringing 
over him, "Found out at last!" Found out before 
angels and redeemed spirits. Found out where there 
is no possible chance of escape or concealment. Found 
out where the violent die as the result of sin, where 
the soul meets the immediate and swift punishment of 
destruction from the presence of God and his angels. 

Let us make a personal application of this text. Will 
your sins be found out? Are you keeping bad com- 
pany? Be sure the sin will be found out. "Lest thou 
learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." The com- 
panion of fools shall be destroyed. If you keep good 
company you will be one of the number. If you keep 
bad company you will be one of the number. If you 
keep company of wolves you will learn to howl. If your 
associations are wicked, it will be manifest in your 
words and deeds. A man recently confessed on the gal- 
lows that bad company led him to commit the crime. 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 197 

Sampson kept company with Delilah, and lost his hair, 
his strength, his life. Brutus kept company with Casius 
and was instigated to murder Caesar. Ahab kept com- 
pany with Jezebel, committed murder, and both lost 
their lives. Is your sin that of drunkenness? You 
may, for a time, conceal the social drink, but eventually 
you will become a tipler, and finally a drunkard. Some 
one will see and will tell. It will be carried on the 
wings of the birds, and will soon be found out : found 
out in your poverty, in the loss of your position, in 
your looks, in your general appearance, in your totter- 
ing steps, and your bloated face. It will be found out 
in your home and by your associates. Is it theft that 
you are practicing ? No matter how careful the conceal- 
ment, it will be found out. It will soon become a habit, 
and you will become bolder and bolder until hiding will 
be impossible. You may elude the meshes of the law 
for a few days or months, but soon the net will entrap 
you. I knew a young man who served as clerk in a 
store, and who took a little money now and then, until 
it became a habit. He grew bolder and finally was 
found out, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary. 
Is it murder ? Your sin will find you out. Some one 
will hear you plotting the crime, or you may be be- 
trayed by an accomplice, or be seen lurking about the 
spot, or be heard talking about the person, or after 
you have borne the crime till you can bear it no longer 
you may inform against yourself, and surrender to 
justice under the conviction that the hell of punishment 
will be no worse than the hell of suspense. Have you 



198 SOUL SAVING 

not read many instances where every effort was made 
to cover up the crime, but some little circumstances led 
to its discovery? It may have been a nervous uneasi- 
ness about the future ; an anxious looking-into the faces 
to see whether you were being suspected ; the readiness 
to flee or fight at the approach of an officer. The 
burden of carrying the secret and the relief found in 
confessing it may lead to its publicity and your being 
found out. There are numerous examples to demon- 
strate the truthfulness of the old adage, "Murder will 
out." I knew a young man in Virginia who commit- 
ted a foul murder by drowning his victim, a beautiful 
young lady, in a reservoir, and after a time her body 
was found, and recognized. Later on the young man 
was arrested; his shoe fit the shoe-print left in the 
sand on the shore ; his watch-charm was found, where 
she had made a desperate struggle for life ; the street- 
car conductor was found in whose car the couple were 
carried to the reservoir ; the watchman was found who 
witnessed them walking on the banks ; the motive was 
found to induce the young man to commit the murder, 
and thus many circumstances gradually wove the hemp 
into a rope that swung the young man into eternity. 
Yes, history and experience declare that sin will out, 
and the Bible enforces it. 

Our text says, "Be sure your sins will find you out." 
The wise man declares, "He that walketh uprightly 
walketh surely, but he that perverteth his ways shall be 
known." Did not Adam's sin in eating the forbidden 
fruit find him out? Did not the sin of Cain in killing 



SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT! 199 

his brother Abel, find him out? Did not the sins of 
the Antidiluvians in rebelling against God, find them 
out? Did not the sin of Pharaoh, oppressing the 
Israelites, find him out ? Did not the sin of King Saul, 
in disobeying God, find him out? How about the sin 
of Ahab, the murderer; Achan, the thief; Belshazzar, 
the idolator ; Judas, the betrayer ; Herod, the adulterer ; 
Simon, the sorcerer ; Annanias, the covetous man ? Are 
they not all examples that prove the text to be true? 
"Be sure your sins will find you out." 

Are you hardening your hearts against the Gospel 
of Christ? Are you refusing the invitations of your 
blessed Savior? Are you slighting the entreaties of 
your loved ones ? Be sure your sin will find you out." 
I care not whether your sin be little or great; a sin 
of omission or commission; a sin of presumption or 
of youth or a besetting sin — it will be found out. It 
will be found out in your body, in your intellect, in 
your soul. It will be found out in society, in your 
home, in your posterity. It will be found out in Eter- 
nity, and my friend, be sure it will be found out to 
your shame and trouble and disgrace. Oh, will you not 
be wise today and search and find out your sins, and 
get rid of them ? Kill sin before it kills you. Separate 
yourself from it before it separates you from God. 
Destroy it before it brings destruction to your soul. 
Forsake it before you are forsaken by your heavenly 
Father. I beseech of you, appeal to Christ, the Judge 
of the quick and dead, to cover your sins, to blot them 
out of the Lamb's book of Life, and to save your souls 



200 SOUL SAVING 

before your sins find you out to the death of your 
character, usefulness, soul, life, God's love and pres- 
ence. 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 

"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." — Daniel 5 :25. 

The great court scene in which the prophet appears 
before King Belshazzar took place in Babylon- This 
famous metropolis was situated in a wide plain on 
the Euphrates, which divided it into two nearly equal 
parts. Its foundations were laid, according to the 
Scriptures, at the same time with those of the Tower 
of Babel. According to the traditions which the Greeks 
derived from the Babylonians the city was originally 
built 2230 B. C. In the revolutions of centuries it 
underwent many changes, and received many additions. 
The statements respecting the size and appearance of 
Babylon which have come down to us in classical 
writers, are derived from two sources: the works of 
Herodotus and Ctesias, both authors having been eye- 
witnesses of the glory of Babylon. According to the 
records of these famous writers the walls of Babylon 
were double; the outer line, being fifty-six miles in 
circumference, was built of large bricks cemented with 
bitumen, and constructed around the city in the form 
of a square measuring fourteen miles along each face. 
The walls were three hundred and fifty feet high, and 
eighty-seven feet thick, — so thick that four horse 
chariots could pass each other on them without danger. 



202 SOUL SAVING 

A vast moat surrounded the walls, constructed of the 
same material, and proportionate in depth and width 
to the elevation of the walls. The city was entered by 
twenty-five brass gates on each side, and strengthened 
by two hundred and fifty powerful towers. There 
were streets running in straight lines through the town 
from gate to gate, crossing each other at right angles, 
thus making six hundred and fifty-six squares, each 
square being a little more than two miles in circum- 
ference. Nearly the entire space was covered with 
houses, many of them three and four stories in height. 
The Euphrates River ran through the city from north 
to south, protected on each side with a quay the same 
thickness as the walls of the city and one hundred 
stadia in length. Through these quays were gates of 
brass, from which steps descended into the river. The 
two parts of the city were connected by a stone bridge, 
one hundred yards long and thirty feet broad. At 
either end of the bridge was a royal palace. The palace 
on the eastern side was defended by a triple wall, the 
outermost seven miles around, the second four and a 
half, and the third two and a quarter. The second 
wall was three hundred feet in height and contained 
four hundred and twenty towers. The elevation of 
the inner wall was even greater than this. The walls 
were made of colored brick, with the pictures of 
hunting scenes upon them- The two palaces were also 
joined by a tunnel under the river. The fortress on the 
east was called the Royal Palace, and the one on the 
west was called the Temple of Belus, the latter being 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 203 

a species of pyramid, composed of eight square towers 
placed one above the other, the dimensions of the base- 
ment tower being above six hundred feet each way. 
A winding ascent passed around all the towers and 
led to the summit on which was placed a spacious ark, 
regarded by the natives as the habitation of the God. 
As the Euphrates overflowed during the summer 
months two great canals were cut to turn the course 
of the waters into the Tigris, and vast embankments 
were raised on each side of the river. To the west of 
the city an immense lake, forty miles square was ex- 
cavated to a depth of thirty-five feet, and into this 
lake the river was turned, until the work was com- 
pleted. It was into this lake that Cyrus turned the 
Euphrates when he captured the city. The inhabitants 
were at the same time engaged in carousals, it being 
a great festive occasion. Xenophan states the citizens 
in the opposite quarter of the city did not learn what 
had happened until three hours after sunrise, the city 
having been taken at night. Babylon, in the height of 
her glory, was enriched by the treasuries and valuable 
acquisitions, rare works of art, and novelties that her 
kings and conquerors had brought from the various 
countries and people they had subjugated. 

Its greatest boast were the hanging gardens which 
acquired from the Grecian writers the appellation of 
"one of the wonders of the world." It is said that 
Nebuchadnezzar constructed them in compliance with 
the wish of his queen to possess elevated groves such 
as she had enjoyed in the hills of her native country. 



204 SOUL SAVING 

Babylon was level, and to accomplish so extravagant 
a desire an artificial mountain was raised four hundred 
feet on each side, with terraces one above the other 
to a height that overtopped the walls of the city in 
elevation. The ascent from terrace to terrace was 
made by flights of steps. On the walls were spread 
beds of matting, then a thick layer of bitumen, after 
which came two courses of brick which were covered 
with sheets of lead. The earth was heaped on this 
platform, and in order to admit the roots of large 
trees hollow piers were built and filled with mould. 
Water was drawn up from the river Euphrates by 
means of machinery for the purpose of irrigation. It 
is said that it had the appearance of a forest over- 
hanging mountains. When all was completed, Babylon 
doubtless was the greatest city, at the time, in all 
the world. So great, that after its capture by Alex- 
ander and final downfall, four great capitals were 
built out of its remains, — one by the Greeks, one by 
the Persians, one by the Parthians, and one by the 
Caliphs, besides towns and villages without number, 
the materials being transported along the rivers and 
canals. 

Babylon, as the center of her kingdom, was the seat 
of boundless luxury- The people were addicted to 
self-indulgence and effeminacy. Ctesias asserts "Noth- 
ing could be more corrupt than the morals of Babylon, 
nothing more fitted to excite and allure to immoderate 
pleasures. Money dissolved every tie. The Babyloni- 
ans were greatly given to wine and inebriety. Women 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 205 

engaged in the feasts, at first with some degree of 
propriety, but grew worse and worse by degrees. 
They ended by throwing off their modesty and their 
clothing." 

At the time of Belshazzar, the Jews were inhabi- 
tants within the walls of Babylon. The overthrow of 
the great city had been predicted two hundred years 
before, and now the last grain of sand is falling in 
the hour-glass of Belshazzar: his cup of iniquity is 
full to overflowing; his career of impiety is hastening 
to an end; the fatal arrow is aimed, and t{ie sword is 
suspended. 

Belshazzar was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, 
and son of King Nabonedus, and associated with him 
in the reign. He was the last of the Chaldean kings. 
Nabonedus was directing the troops in the field and 
was defeated, while Belshazzar ruled in Babylon till 
it was taken by the Medes and Persians. The only 
circumstances recorded of him in the Scriptures are 
his impious feast and violent death. During his reign 
he lived in such awful impiety and heaped so many 
insults and indignities upon the Jews that he brought 
against himself the judgment of heaven. 

The night in which he was slain was a night of 
awful dissipation. He assembled a company of 
princes, noblemen and concubines. He devoted the 
evening to banqueting and intemperance. The spark- 
ling wine was passed freely around amid the 
sounds of revelry and maddening mirth. Drunken- 
ness and profligacy were the order of the night. Wis- 



206 SOUL SAVING 

dom, dignity and good sense, reason and decorum all 
drowned in the depths of the wine cup- The king 
led the way to extravagance, folly and intemperance. 
He who should have been a guide to virtue used his 
influence to pervert it. He alone is mentioned as 
the leader of these bacchanalian revelries. Many, like 
Belshazzar, have been destroyed by the practice of 
sensual pleasure. For dissipation, many of the ablest 
and most talented men have given their lives; thou- 
sands of parents have gone down to premature graves 
through trouble over the dissipation of their children. 
Health has been broken, homes destroyed, children 
made orphans ; fathers, fiends ; and wives, widows ; 
because of sinful pleasures. Eternity alone will dis- 
close the multitudes destroyed by dissipation of the 
Belshazzar sort. 

It was a night of great profanity. Throughout 
Nebuchadnezzar's reign the gold and silver vessels 
of the temple had been carefully preserved, and the 
captive Jews had cherishd the hope that these precious 
vessels would again adorn the temple at Jerusalem. 
Belshazzar had reigned for probably eighteen years 
and had not, as yet, ventured to profane these sacred 
vessels, but he is madly inflamed with wine; his 
purity is lost in the carousing bowl; he forgets the 
sacredness with which his grandfather withheld these 
vessels, and being prepared by an inflamed mind, he 
orders them brought forth and he and his lords and 
concubines drink wine out of them. Is it not true 
that infidelity and contempt for everything sacred is 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 207 

generally produced under similar circumstances ? 
Skepticism is more frequently the result of sinful 
pleasure than deliberate reflection. The fool has said 
in his heart, not in his reason, "there is no God." 

It was a night of gross negligence. The enemy was 
at the gates, yet the king was reveling in effeminate 
orgies. They knew the enemy, with a powerful army, 
was without, and yet they relied on the security of 
the city and gave themselves no concern about its 
protection. It was a time for serious reflection, but 
reason was dethroned. It was a time for vigilance, 
but they were possessed of a besotted stupor. What 
a scene ! A city engulfed in dissipation and a powerful 
army undermining the walls ! Indifference and reck- 
lessness are natural consequences of dissipation. They 
deaden the moral feeling, brutalize the passions and 
sear the conscience. Friends may admonish those 
who are living in the whirlpool of dissipation, but 
they hear not ; ministers may preach to them, but they 
hear not; Providence may present her appalling spec- 
tacles, but they heed not; health may be undermined, 
character waning, and business disappear, still they 
pursue in their course of sin and death. 

It was a night of supernatural visitation. God 
might have sent an earthquake to have shaken the 
palace and buried the revelers in the dust. He might 
have sent fire streaming out from the golden vessels 
to consume king and guests. He might have sent a 
thunder-bolt from heaven as a minister of his justice. 
He might have sent a hurricane to have swept over the 



208 SOUL SAVING 

city and blown the buildings upon the people. The 
kings of Babylon were famous for writing irresistible 
and irreversible decrees, but a mightier King than any 
earthly potentate is about to write a decree in the 
sight of all. Behold the banqueting hall! See the 
king elevated in the midst of his guests ! Around are 
the lords and concubines, with their golden vessels and 
goblets. The music increases, the excitement and 
fresh draughts of wine add to the merriment. But 
behold! in the midst of it all, a hand is seen writing 
on the wall. It writes publicly in the presence of 
king and courtiers. It writes silently, which makes 
it more impressive to all present. It writes decisively, 
words to remain at which the eyes may look, and be- 
come more impressive than the words spoken. It 
writes mysterious characters. This language of heaven 
is unknown to these Godless men. 

It was a night of awful consternation. The writing 
drove terror to the heart of the king and his courtiers. 
The wickedness of the king is as great as that of his 
slaves- The terror of the king was augmented by his 
guilt. It was deepened by the unfamiliarity with 
the characters. The king becomes greatly troubled, 
his countenance changes, his eyes indicate alarm, his 
knees smite each other, his frame trembles, his color 
comes and goes; the mirth of the assembly is inter- 
rupted. Fear comes upon them as the glow of the in- 
scription upon the wall engrosses the glitter of the ban- 
queting hall. The ominous hand retires, but the in- 
scription remains, and the consternation increases. 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 209 

It was a night of dreaded interpretation. The as- 
trologers and sooth-sayers are summoned at once. 
These are the royal interpreters in matters of religion. 
These professed to know the secrets of the gods. They 
were kept at the king's expense, and should render 
proper service in return. Great rewards are offered 
to the man who will interpret the strange writing, 
but they are unable to make known the meaning of 
the characters. The staff upon which Belshazzar is 
leaning is a rotten staff; the cable to which he was 
attaching his frail barque possessed a faulty link. 
Every attempt to stimulate these men and make known 
the meaning is vain. The oracles are dumb. False 
religions may serve for a false life, but when the 
realities of death and eternity are dawning, then 
there is no refuge nor retreat for the false faith. At 
length, the queen, the mother of Belshazzar, is called 
in. Be it said to her honor, that she was not present 
with this infamous assembly. She recommends 
Daniel Daniel, whose name means, "God with 
thee;" Daniel, who had proposed in his heart not to 
defile himself with the king's meat and wine; Daniel, 
the servant of God; Daniel, who was closely con- 
nected with the history of Nebuchadnezzar ; Daniel, the 
wise man ; Daniel, the good man ; Daniel, the temper- 
ate man ; Daniel, who had defied the laws of the Medes 
and Persians, and for which he had been cast into the 
lion's den, but trusting in God was saved from being 
the prey of the beasts ; Daniel, who had been neglected 
by the dissolute king, is sent for in all haste. 



210 SOUL SAVING 

In early life Daniel was carried away captive in 
company with other Hebrew children. He was prob- 
ably born in Jerusalem, and undoubtedly possessed 
many natural endowments. He early distinguished 
himself for piety, wisdom and strict observance of 
the Mosaic law. When opportunities presented them- 
selves in the eastern court he always displayed acute- 
ness of mind and religious convictions. At the close 
of the third's year's captivity and discipline, he had 
an opportunity to exercise his gift of interpreting 
dreams. It was after the utter failure of the Magi 
of Nebuchadnezzar's court to make known the king's 
dream to him. In consequence of his success, like 
Joseph of old, he was elevated to a responsible posi- 
tion — the governorship of the province of Babylon 
and president of the Babylonian wise men. Later 
on he interpreted another dream for Nebuchadnezzar 
to the effect that Nebuchadnezzar was to lose his 
throne for a while, and then it was to be restored to 
him after his humility had been effected. After the 
reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel seems to have lost 
his princely position for a time. He occupied a sub- 
ordinate place under the reign of Belshazzar. He had 
two remarkable visions, which disclosed to him the 
fact of two of the most powerful empires of the 
world, and their relations to the kingdom of God. 
He afterward interpreted the hand-writing on'the wall, 
which foretold the destruction of Belshazzar. When 
Babylon was taken by the Medes and Persians, he 
was made the first of the three presidents of the em- 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 211 

pire. We now find him in deep humility and pros- 
tration of spirit, praying to God for the forgiveness 
of the people's sins and asking for divine mercy. 

Being so greatly blessed by Jehovah and occupying 
such a high post of honor in the state, the enmity and 
jealousy of his colleagues were aroused, and they at 
last succeeded in prevailing on the weak monarch to 
issue the decree which they well knew would be at 
variance with Daniel's creed and the violation of 
which resulted in the casting of Daniel into the lion's 
den. He was miraculously delivered from the den 
of lions, and again raised to the highest post of honor. 
At the ascension of Cyrus, he continued to retain his 
post of honor- He thus occupied a high official posi- 
tion in the state during the reign of three kingdoms 
— the Chaldean, Median and Persian. He did not ac- 
company the Jews back to Jerusalem, but died in exile 
when past ninety years of age. 

This servant is introduced, and at once, the king 
offers him great rewards to make known the inter- 
pretation of the characters on the wall. Daniel re- 
plies, "Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy re- 
wards to another ; yet I will read the writing unto the 
king, and make known to him the interpretation. O 
thou king, the most high God, gave Nebuchadnezzar, 
thy father, a kingdom, and majesty and glory, and 
honor: and for the majesty that he gave him, all 
people, nations and languages trembled and feared 
before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he 
would he kept alive, and whom he would he set up 



212 SOUL SAVING 

and whom he would he put down. But when his 
heart was lifted up and his mind hardened in pride, 
he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took 
his glory from him : and he was driven from the sons 
of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and 
his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him 
with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the 
dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God 
ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth 
over it whomsoever he will. And thou, his son, O 
Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou 
knowest all this; but hast lifted up thyself against 
the Lord of Heaven; and they have brought the ves- 
sels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, 
thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in 
them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and 
gold, of brass, iron, wood and stone, which see not, nor 
hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy 
breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not 
glorified. Then was the part of the hand sent from 
him; and this writing was written. And this is the 
writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, 
UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the 
thing: MENE — God hath numbered thy kingdom, 
and finished it. TEKEL — thou art weighed in the 
balances, and art found wanting. PERES — thy king- 
dom is divided, and given to the Medes and Per- 
sians." Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed 
Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his 
neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 213 

he should be the third ruler in the kingdom- In that 
night was Belshazzar, the king of the Chaldeans, slain 
and Darius, the Median, took the kingdom, being 
about three-score and two years old. 

It was a night of terrible retribution. The enemy 
had drawn the bed of the river. The keepers of the 
gates, in their revelings, had left them open, and the 
army passed into the city. Herodotus tells us that 
Cyrus took the city by drawing off the waters of the 
Euphrates into the great lake and then marching with 
his whole army along the bed of the river into the 
city during the Babylonian festival. The people feel- 
ing perfectly secure, were scattered over the whole 
city in reckless amusement. The palace was besieged, 
the banquet of wine was exchanged for the flowing 
of human gore, the laughter for cries, the sign of mer- 
riment for a sign of danger, and Belshazzar was slain. 
Ah, such is the typical end of the sinner — of those 
who revel and profane. "The wages of sin is death, 
and the wicked shall be turned into hell." It was not 
merely a loss of a crown, but it was a complete and 
irreparable loss. His sovereign power, his health, his 
life, his hope, his crown were all destroyed at a single 
blow. The calamity was greater in extent than anyone 
can estimate. He had a splendid opportunity, but he 
wasted it ; he might have gained heaven, but he failed. 
"He that is filthy, let him be filthy still." "Mene, 
Tekel, Upharsin." The words written were, "Num- 
bered! Numbered!" A man's days are numbered 
when his death draws nigh- This significant word 



214 SOUL SAVING 

here implies either that the days of Belshazzar, or his 
kingdom, are numbered. Daniel applies it to the king- 
dom. Babylon has run its race and the end is at 
hand. The Persians thundering around the walls 
would bring it to a close. The second word, "Tekel," 
means weighed, and is applied to the king. Roberts 
remarks that this striking form of speech is much 
used in the East at this day. Thus, should two men 
be disputing respecting the moral character of a third 
person, one will say, "I know the fellow well; I 
have weighed him, and he is found wanting." "He 
found wanting! You are much lighter than he." 
"What, miscreant! Do you wish to weigh against 
me?" "Thou art but one part in a thousand." "Be- 
gone, fellow, or I will soon weigh thee." "Yes, yes, 
there is no doubt about it; you have weighed me; I 
am much lighter than you." "What kind of times are 
these ? The slaves are weighing their masters." "Yes, 
the low castes have become very clever; they are 
weighing thir supriors." What, woman ! Do you call 
in question the authority of your husband? Are you 
qualified to weigh him?" "The judge has been weigh- 
ing the prisoners, and they are all wanting." God has 
the right to weigh men. He is our Creator, Preserver 
and Redeemer. We owe him our obedience and our 
service. God has the means to weigh people: his 
balances are perfect and his laws are just He has 
the ability to weigh people: power, wisdom, knowl- 
edge, goodness and holiness belong to him. Belshaz- 
zar was weighed in the balances and it was found that 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 215 

he had sacrificed his own dignity, plunged into drunk- 
enness, jested with sacred things, violated the de- 
cencies of domestic life, lifted himself up against God, 
and therefore he was found wanting. In one side of 
the balance were placed his responsibilities and his 
opportunities; in the other his conduct and character; 
he was wanting ! Light, frivolous, contemptible, rather 
than a noble ruler. 

We should weigh ourselves, not in the scale of 
comparative excellence, which is one of the most com- 
mon scales of man and one on which many rely; we 
should not follow the example of the Pharisees, who 
thanked God that they were not like other men. Paul 
declares that men who measure themselves by them- 
selves and compare themselves to themselves are not 
wise. We should not weigh ourselves in the scale 
of selfish opinion. The heart of man is deceitful 
above all things. Peter failed when he trusted in his 
own heart. Neither should we weigh ourselves in the 
estimation of our fellowmen; they may err in their 
judgment; our enemies will underestimate and our 
friends will overestimate us. We may be treated as 
Job was by his comforter ; or Joseph, by his brethren ; 
or the disciples, by Judas ; or as the apostles, by Simon, 
the sorcerer; or Paul, by Alexander. We should 
weigh ourselves in the scale of revelation and the 
law and the testimony. "Let me be weighed in an 
even balance, that God may know my integrity." The 
king had been weighed. This is God's correct weight 
and just balance. There is One that will judge even 



216 SOUL SAVING 

the word I have spoken to you. His word will make 
all manifest. Herein we should weigh our hearts and 
see if they have been changed, if they have been con- 
verted by the cross of Christ and won by the love of 
Heaven. We should weigh our spiritual characters 
and see whether we are under guilt or enjoying the 
blessing of pardon. We should weigh our principles 
by these divine scales of justice, and see whether 
they are principles of love — love to God and love 
to man, love for the truth and love for right- 
and love to man, love for the truth and love for right- 
eousness. We should weigh our graces that we may 
understand whether we have unbounded faith in God 
and joyous hope in Christ; whether we are exercis- 
ing ourselves unto patience, humility, and Godliness. 
We should weigh our usefulness that we may be able 
to discern whether our talents are consecrated to God, 
or whether our meat and drink is to do the will of our 
Father which is in heaven." All are weighed in bal- 
ances : kingdoms, institutions, systems and men. 
Whatever is found wanting, does not bless the race but 
degrades it, and will be destroyed. Thus religions, 
philosophies and kingdoms have their day, are num- 
bered, and pass away because they do not lift men 
higher and make them better. Whatsoever tree 
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast 
into the fire. There are balances for every man — for 
you. In the one scale is what God demands of you 
to be ; in the other, what you are. Is there a balance, 
or does your end of the beam fly upward? If so, you 



DANIEL BEFORE BELSHAZZAR 217 

have no part in the kingdom. Weigh yourself in the 
scale of God's word, and "add" the Christian graces, 
until there is an equipoise. 

We must weigh ourselves in the Gospel balances: 
our faith in Christ, our repentance, our love to God, 
our obedience, our holiness of life, and if we find we 
are wanting we must place Christ in the other side of 
the balances, with his power of forgiveness, power 
of protection, and power of blessing; then we shall 
not be found wanting. We must weigh ourselves in 
the judgment balances. In that day when all men 
are raised from the dead, when the heavens shall pass 
away with a great noise and the earth shall be burned 
with a fervent heat, and the Judge shall be seated on 
his throne, when angelic hosts shall surround him, 
when the books are opened, when we are called to 
render an account for the deeds done in our bodies, 
shall we be found wanting? If so, there will be no 
weight and no salvation to tip the scales in our favor. 
Today we must weigh ourselves in the scale of divine 
justice, with Christ by our side, that we shall not be 
wanting on the day of judgment, and then we shall 
not be wanting in time nor eternity; on the day of 
death nor the day of judgment. 

These things being true, I appeal to all of you to 
avoid the errors of Belshazzar and to imitate the ex- 
ample of Daniel. Will you not worship God in whose 
hands is your breath? the God in whose hands are 
all thy ways; the God who hath given to you life 
and health and all things ? I appeal to you, do not lift 



218 SOUL SAVING 

up your hearts against him, as did Belshazzar, but 
humble yourselves before him and glorify him, as did 
Daniel. If there be any here who have not glorified 
God, but have been spending their lives in practical 
infidelity, wicked idolatry, awful recklessness, mani- 
fest profanity, terrible dissipation, will you not turn 
from such a wicked course to the God of Daniel for 
the forgiveness of your sins and the hope of eternal 
life? 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be 
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing 
rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, 
than to enjoy the plaesures of sin for a season; ac- 
counting the reproach of Christ greater riches than 
the treasures of Egypt for he looked unto the 
recompense of reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, 
not fearing the wrath of the king for he endured, 
as seeing him who is invisible." — Hebrews 1 1 :24-27. 

Greece had her Miltiades, Rome had her Caesar, 
Carthage had her Hannibal, Russia had her Peter the 
Great, Italy had her Garibaldi, Holland had her 
William the Silent, France had her Napoleon, England 
had her Wellington, the United States had her Wash- 
ington. The ancient Israelites had their heroes: 
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and 
Caleb. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews contains an 
honor roll of Bible heroes. Nations have books in 
which they keep the names of their peers and their 
pedigrees; this chapter of Hebrews is a peerage book 
of stars that shine in Glory. 

Moses was one of the greatest of heroes. Others 
were greater in certain respects. David could sing 
more sweetly ; Isaiah had a more prophetic vision ; 



220 SOUL SAVING 

Ezekial had a more majestic imagery; Solomon had 
greater knowledge; Peter had more zeal; John had 
more love; but Moses towered, like the paintings of 
Raphael or the architecture of Angelo, great in every 
respect. He stands foremost amongst the heroes of 
antiquity. No statesman ever moulded such crude 
materials into so perfect a commonwealth ; no military 
leader ever conducted such a host through such a wil- 
derness. His superlative greatness was not so much 
in his genius as in his character. He was not only 
great by virtue of what he did, but by virtue of what 
he was. Moses was well-born and well-educated. His 
companions were great; his surroundings were great; 
his opportunities were great ; his prospects great. But 
he was greatest of all in character, manhood, choice, 
and service of God. The one act that gives us the 
best conception of his character is his decision: he 
refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's daughter, 
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of 
God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than 
the treasures of Egypt. This was a wonderful de- 
cision. It showed forth his real greatness; it shaped 
his career; it determined his destiny. Let us study 
the import of this decision and examine into what he 
declined in refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh's 
daughter. 

He refused a crown. He was born an Israelite, and 
at a time, when, on account of the rapid increase of 
the Israelites, Pharaoh issued an edict commanding 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 221 

all the male children of Israel under two years of age 
to be slain. This led the parents of Moses to hide 
him away in the bullrushes. He was a fair child — ex- 
ceedingly fair. Fair to the mother and fair to God. 
The beauty of the Lord sat upon him as a presage 
that he was born to great things. Sometimes, though 
not always, the countenance is an index of the mind. 
Pharaoh's daughter cariie down, after the custom of 
her country, to bathe in the river or to loiter by its 
side. She saw the basket of flags being borne down 
the stream and dispatched her servants after it. When 
it was opened the cry of the child moved the princess 
to compassion and she determined to adopt it and rear 
it as her own. The child refused the care of the 
Egyptian nurses, and by some wise providence, the 
sister of Moses was at hand to run and bring a He- 
brew nurse, and naturally, brought the mother of the 
child. Josephus tells us that the child was so beau- 
tiful that passersby stood fixed to look upon it, and 
laborers left their work to steal a glance at it. 
Josephus, and other historians, tell us that this Egypt- 
ian princess was childless, and therefore she had great 
delight in adopting a child of such marvelous beauty. 
Many striking coincidences, with monumental records, 
identify this princess as the only daughter of Sesostris 
Rameses, the famous architectural monarch. From 
this time forth, for forty years, Moses must be con- 
sidered as an Egyptian. The Scriptures tell us that 
he was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and 
was mighty in words and deeds. Strabo, Philo and 



222 SOUL SAVING 

Josephus inform us that he was highly educated at 
Heliopolis — taught the whole range of Greek, Chaldee, 
and Assyrian literature; that he was learned in math- 
ematics and astronomy; that he was an inventor of 
boats, engines for building, instruments of war, 
hydraulics, hieroglyphics and divisions of lands; that 
he was a great student and finally became a teacher; 
that he taught Orpheus; that he taught grammar to 
the Jews; and being taught the art of war he was 
given the command of an expedition against the 
Ethiopians whom he subjugated. He advanced to the 
capital of Ethiopia, changed the name of the city, and 
gave it the name of his foster-mother. He also found- 
ed the city of Hermopolis to commemorate his victory. 
He was so great in knowledge and in deeds that 
powerful rivals rose up against him. Perhaps some 
of these learned men became envious and jealous of 
the caresses he received from the princess, the favors 
of the populace, and the advancements of Pharaoh, 
and therefore, they probably accused him before the 
monarch. I wonder if the proud and dusky sovereign 
had not reasons to become suspicious of Moses? 
Probably he thought, "I fear we are putting power 
and authority into the hands of this young Hebrew 
that may lead to our destruction. The blood of Levi 
flows in his veins. His mother may have his ear and 
heart, and she would die sooner than surrender her 
faith. He is proud of his people. He worships none 
of our Gods, but bows down to the God of Abraham, 
Isaac and Jacob. He is educated in all our arts and 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 223 

wisdom and has the love of both the Egyptians and 
Hebrews, and can it be, we are preparing this giant 
to accomplish our overthrow and lead his people to 
traditional victory? He is the only heir and entitled 
to the crown, but will he be true to the Egyptians, or 
will he throw off all allegiance and identity himself 
with the accursed race of his mother, and seek to 
possess the land for them?" 

A crown was within the reach of Moses. He was 
heir to it. He was entitled to the crown of the most 
powerful country on the face of the earth, for at that 
time many nations were paying tribute to Egypt. The 
conquering arms of the Pharaohs had extended far 
into Africa and Asia. Their fleets, manned by Phoe- 
nician sailors, gave them the supremacy of the Medi- 
terranean. The Egyptians had many servants. They 
were warriors, builders and agriculturists. To be heir 
to such a throne was to receive, from an earthly stand- 
point, the highest position that could be occupied by 
man. Moses must settle the question of his allegiance. 
He must take a stand. He must identify himself with 
the Egyptians or the Israelites. Compromise or rec- 
onciliation was impossible. Moses was subject to like 
temptations with the rest of us, and was by education, 
association, and inheritance, prepared to rule over 
Egypt. He, doubtless, was possessed of an ambition 
that is common to man. The diadem was within his 
reach. I imagine him climbing to the summit of one 
of the great pyramids, that overlooked one of the 
most fertile valleys in all the world. In every direc- 



224 SOUL SAVING 

tion he sees monuments of wealth and power. He be- 
holds a valley teeming with prosperity — a fertile soil 
under a high state of cultivation, yielding immense 
crops of grain and bearing aloft trees heavily laden 
with precious fruits, and many villages inhabited by 
the subjects of the great dynasty. In the distance he 
beholds Helioplis, with her great library and schools, 
and in whose halls and corridors are students and 
scholars from all the nations of the world, seeking the 
lore of Egypt. He beholds, to the south, sphinx after 
sphinx, pyramid after pyramid, city after city, and 
temple after temple, all rising majestically before 
him. The river Nile, fringed with worshipers, flows 
like a golden ribbon to the sea. He sees the priests 
hastening to the shrines for their evening devotions. 
He beholds the thousands of dusky Israelites toiling 
away, some quarrying in the limestone rock, some tug- 
ging at ropes and rollers, some making brick, some 
gathering straw and making mortar, some plying the 
boats upon the river, some straining every nerve and 
muscle under the cruel rod of the fierce overseer, some 
lifting gigantic stones to be set in their places. He 
also beholds the titled aristocrats of Egypt, reposing 
peacefully in their elegant apartments, or walking 
leisurely through their beautiful gardens, or driving 
about in costly chariots. He looks out upon the 
standing army that numbered over four hundred 
thousand men. He beholds the archers, spearmen, 
swordsmen, clubmen and slingers. He sees the numer- 
ous chariots of war, richly ornamented and inlaid with 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 225 

gold. He sees the mighty army marching to and fro, 
giving their evening drill and exercise, and their bril- 
liant weapons and gay uniforms reflect back the rays 
of the evening sun. 

What a kingdom! The first nation on earth — the 
cradle of Science. Monuments of art, sculpture, paint- 
ing and statuary. With an army to protect and de- 
fend, or to carry on invasions and make successful 
sieges. With a country rich in grain and fruit, rich 
in inhabitants and history, all at the command of 
Moses if he chooses to accept of the crown. Moses 
is on the Mount of Temptation. Satan says, "Look 
to every point of the compass. Behold the splendor 
of the greatest empire on earth! Behold a mighty 
army whose swords will be drawn at thy command! 
Behold a crown set with rubies and pearl! All this 
shall be thine if thou wilt fall down and worship me." 
It is a crisis in the life of Moses. He can accept or 
reject that for which nations have been plunged into 
war, millions have been slain, and mints of money been 
expended. To obtain crowns, what dark, fiendish, and 
bloody deeds have been executed! To obtain crowns, 
what inglorious ambition, and what deep scheming! 
To obtain crowns, innocent children have been mur- 
dered, brothers have been assassinated and helpless 
women slain! Through fear of losing a crown, Saul 
sought the life of David, hounding him from place 
to place, determining to kill him. In the hope of ob- 
taining a crown, Absolom rebelled against his father 
David, and finally met with his own death. After 



226 SOUL SAVING 

the death of Alexander, the Great, his generals 
became ambitious for crowns and for more than 
a score of years they fought, grasped and wrangled 
like tigers. For a crown, Lucius and his wife Tullia, 
murdered Severus, the father of Tullia, and the Em- 
peror of Rome; as Tullia was returning from the 
Senate, to which she had hastened to compliment her 
husband on being king, her driver came to the pros- 
trate body of her father, and being about to turn aside 
she fiercely commanded him to "go forward/' and 
the blood of her father, the old Emperor, spattered 
her dress as the chariot rolled over the lifeless re- 
mains. Of the sixty-two Emperors, from Caesar to 
Constantine, forty-two were murdered as the result 
of enmity, jealousy, hatred and strife; and from Con- 
stantine of Rome, to Richard the Third of England, 
who usurped the throne and murdered the legal heirs 
to it, there have been, in all countries, awful scenes 
of jealousy, murder, rapine and war for crowns, as 
if the highest ambition of man was to wear a crown; 
but Moses refused that for which others fought and 
fell. He was equal to the occasion. He resisted the 
temptation. He refused to be called the son of 
Pharaoh's daughter. In this refusal he declined the 
crown; he owed his life to this princess, his foster- 
mother: Doubtless he loved her, and to refuse such 
kindness from her would appear not only ingratitude 
to her, but a neglect of Providence that would seem 
to promote his advancement and that of his brethren. 
How glorious the triumph of his faith in this trial! 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 227 

He refused, lest he should undervalue the true honor 
of being the son of Abraham. He refused, lest it 
should appear that he was severing his relations to 
Israel. 

In this refusal he declined the wealth of the world. 
It is a great shrine and many bow before it. Rail- 
roads are built and steamships constructed in pursuit 
of wealth; mills and factories are started for wealth; 
offices and stores are opened for wealth. This golden 
shrine has more devotees than Christ. Many who have 
professed to love Christ, love Mammon more than 
they love him. For wealth, Lot chose the beautiful 
plains of Sodom ; for wealth, Ahab murdered Naboth ; 
for wealth, Achan took and hid a Babylonish garment, 
two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold; 
for wealth, Elijah's servant lied to the Syrian ruler; 
for wealth, Judas sold his Master; for wealth, the 
rich young man disobeyed Christ and went away sor- 
rowful; for wealth, Ananians and Sapphira lied to the 
Holy Spirit. But Moses rises above the seductions 
of wealth. His soul was greater than all the treasures 
of Egypt. He put the treasures of Egypt in one side 
of the scale, and the reproaches of his religion in the 
other, and the latter, though the worst of religions 
from an earthly point of view, outweighed the former. 
He believed that without God's favor the millionaire 
was a pauper. He believed that the righteous were 
the only rich men on earth. He rose like a Giant 
and overcame the Dragon of Avarice. He refused 
the wealth of the world for the poverty of his brethren. 



228 SOUL SAVING 

Like Christ, he who was rich became poor, that 
through his poverty his people might be made rich. 
What a decision was this! Who is there amongst 
us able to imitate the example of Moses? 

He refused worldly honor. For honor, Alexander 
conquered the world and then wept because there were 
no more worlds to conquer. For honor, Nebuchadnez- 
zar issued a decree that no other God should be wor- 
shiped, save himself. For honor, Herod built Caesarea- 
Palistina, and adorned it with gorgeous temples and 
theatres of polished stone, that could be seen a long 
distance at sea. For honor, the Emperors of Rome 
built temples, palaces and arches and had their sea- 
sons of triumph. For honor, the Pharaohs built the 
imperishable pyramids and sphinx. For honor, Nero 
divorced his wife and accepted the hand of a woman 
of abandoned morals, and in commemoration of the 
occasion accepted a panegyric in his praise from his 
infamous and servile senate. For honor, Cromwell 
forced the proudest monarchs of Europe to address 
him as "Our dear Brother" and to accord him all the 
titles claimed by crowned heads. For honor, generals 
and kings have forced subjects to address, and bow 
to them, as Gods. In the strife for place and power, 
the earth has been soaked with blood ; for this infatua- 
tion, wrongs and cruelties have been perpetuated that 
make the blood curdle. Even where the attainment 
of honor is legitimate there are evil influences almost 
impossible to withstand. Even in our own land the 
strife for honor is so fascinating and deluding that 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 229 

not one in a hundred comes out of political strife as 
clean as when he went in. To have the name in the 
paper, to occupy a coveted position and to be a law- 
maker are prospects which glitter and entice the un- 
wary, and thousands in our own land have been ruined 
by their seductiveness. Doubtless the prospect of pos- 
sessing great honor in Egypt tempted Moses and cost 
him a struggle to decide against it. His power of will 
was greater than the seductive power of honor. The 
honors of heaven outweighed the honors of earth. 

Josephus tells us that when Moses was a child, Pha- 
raoh playfully placed a crown upon his head, but he 
immediately pulled it off and trampled it under his 
feet. He declined the honors of men. He rose above 
the vain flatteries and praises of courtiers. He pre- 
ferred the approval of God. He preferred the praises 
of angels. He preferred the favors of a king whose 
favors are more to be desired than those of any earthly 
potentate, and whose threatenings are more to be feared 
than those of any conqueror. Noble decision! Go 
tell it to those who pant for worldly aggrandizement 
and gilded gewgaws. Go tell it to ambitious angels 
who kept not their first estate, but who, through pride, 
fell. Go tell it to the inhabitants of Tophet, who, for 
a moment's applause, gave in exchange their immortal 
souls. 

He refused pleasure. In the day of Moses the 
rulers and rich men of the world lived in great pomp 
and luxury. The poor people might starve, but the 
rich would squander a fortune at a single banquet. 



230 SOUL SAVING 

Extravagance and ostentation reveled in the heart of 
society. It is recorded that women of wealth would 
cover their dresses with pearls and emeralds ; that both 
men and women wore golden collars, bracelets, anklets 
and finger rings set with priceless gems. They had 
numerous servants ; butlers, barbers, tailors, gold- 
smiths, chamberlains and chambermaids. Rulers lived 
in magnificent mansions, surrounded by strong walls 
and lofty towers. The grounds were entered by fold- 
ing gates and the avenues were bordered by rows of 
trees. The buildings were made airy by numerous 
corridors, columns and open courts, shaded by beau- 
tifully colored awnings. The extensive grounds in- 
cluded flower gardens, vineyards, date orchards and 
sycamore groves. There were stables and chariot 
houses, summer houses and artificial ponds. Their 
houses were elegantly furnished with couches, otto- 
mans and foot-stools made of choice wood and either 
richly inlaid with ivory, or covered with leopard skins. 
The tables were of fanciful patterns ; the floor covered 
with palm-leaf mattings ; around were many toilet con- 
veniences — polished mirrors, fancy bottles with oint- 
ments and perfumes, trinket boxes shaped like fish or 
birds, and everywhere were flowers hanging in fes- 
toons, clustering on stands, crowning wine bowls, 
twining around pillars and flinging forth their perfume 
and beauty. There were many sparkling fountains and 
appetizing table delicacies and a retinue of servants. 
And all this luxurious and pompous living Moses could 
have for the taking. Others sought after these and 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 231 

reveled in them, but Moses refused all, preferring the 
hardships and poverty of his own brethren. He pre- 
ferred the pleasures of his religion to the pleasures of 
Egypt. He looked forward to the pleasures at the 
right hand of God. 

His choice was a voluntary one. His decision was 
not that of a child, but that of a man of maturity. It 
was the result of serious deliberation. He was forty 
years old. He had come to years of judgment and 
discretion. He made his choice upon the convictions 
of his judgment and the decisions of his heart. It was 
his choice. No apparition had appeared to him; no 
angel had spoken to him about it; nothing said about 
God commanding him. He had no special revelations, 
no feeders to his faith, no favorable associations to 
arouse enthusiasm. He did it of his own free will. 
He obeyed the voice of his own better judgment and 
nature. 

Note what this choice embraced: he chose rather 
to suffer affliction with God's people. Their lot was 
one of suffering: suffering great hardships, toil, fa- 
tigue, poverty, dangers, fightings. His choice embraced 
a life of danger, a sphere of humiliation, a name of 
ignominy. He shrank not from the painful duties of 
his brethren. He asked not for exemption from their 
troubles. He was willing to walk their thorny paths 
and to suffer with them. What though they were 
slaves? What though they were obliged to gather 
straw and make brick ? What though they were hewers 
of wood and drawers of water? What though they 



232 SOUL SAVING 

would have to undergo great reproach ? What though 
they would have to wander through the wilderness 
for long weary years? He was willing to suffer and 
be imperiled ; to spend and be spent for them. "Whith- 
er thou goest I will go ; and where thou lodgest I will 
lodge. Thy people shall be my people and thy God 
my God. Where thou diest I will die, and there will 
I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also, if 
aught but death part thee and me." I would rather 
be the least of the Lord's children, than wear a royal 
diadem and sit upon a throne. He had waited long 
enough, and if God would forgive him for the years 
he had spent in unconcern and seeming indifference he 
would identify himself with his mother's people and 
do something for them. He would suffer with them 
in order that he might reign with them. He would 
take his stand with them that he might at last take his 
stand with Him that is mighty to save, that cometh 
from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah. 

Why did he refuse ? He was a man of conscientious 
convictions and he lived by his convictions; he had 
the courage of his convictions. He had heartfelt prin- 
ciples and the courage to stand by his principles. He 
had a deep sense of what was his duty and he had the 
courage to perform his duty. He knew what was right, 
and he had the power to stand by the right. He sus- 
pended judgment and decided for the greatest good of 
man and glory of God. 

He looked beyond immediate results. Men love im- 
mediate results. In order that men may have imme- 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 233 

diate results from their labors they take a pittance to- 
day instead of an abundance tomorrow. Many young 
men and women will quit school and engage in business 
for immediate results, rather than toil on and prepare 
themselves for greater results in the future. Men pre- 
fer an empty present to a full future, and tangible 
results to that which seems far away, but Moses gave 
up present comforts and princely honors for that which 
was to come. He had respect unto the recompense of 
the reward. Yes, the reward! He looked beyond the 
crumbling dynasties of Egypt. He looked beyond the 
crowns and glories of earthly kingdoms. He looked at 
the end and not the beginning of life. He well knew 
that the end would crown all. He looked beyond the 
spring time to autumn. He looked over the sowing 
season to the reaping season. He displayed sublime 
wisdom in forecasting the results of his choice. If 
you had asked Moses why he refused Egypt's crown 
and diadem, he would probably have replied : "Because 
I have respect unto the recompense of reward, and en- 
dure as seeing him who is invisible. Heaven is the 
reward, and faith and fidelity is the price I must pay 
for it. Heaven is the great reward. It is the land- 
mark toward which I direct my course. It is the load- 
stone that drags my heart. It is the spur to quicken 
me to duty. It is the argument that sways my decision. 
It is the sword by which I shall conquer my enemies. 
It is the attraction that is more charming than all earth- 
ly grandeur. I am the servant of the Lord and must 
endure as seeing him who is invisible. I want to be 



234 SOUL SAVING 

on the safe side when life's flickering candle is extin- 
guished. If life and destiny were questions of only 
four score years then I would choose earth's wealth, 
honors and pleasures, but life and destiny are ques- 
tions of future rewards and endless existence, and 
therefore I must decide for eternity rather than for 
time. If I had only man to please, then I would ac- 
cept the diadem, but I must decide as one who sees the 
invisible. It would be pleasant to be numbered with 
the Pharaohs, to ride in state, to sit on garnished 
thrones, to walk in palaces, to w r ear crowns, to receive 
the homage of the world, but what if I should lose my 
soul! Ah, the price is too great! I love my foster- 
mother, her home and her love, but my interest is a 
deferred one. My God is on one side of the scales, 
and my foster-mother's idols of Egypt on the other. 
Immortal dominion in one, and the throne of Egypt 
in the other. Pleasures evermore in one, and the pleas- 
ures of sin for a season, in the other. Let the world 
pile up its momentary grandeurs on one side. I pile up 
the realities of eternity on the other, and weighed in 
the balances all that is earthly appear as light as air." 
All may not have the talents of Moses, but all may 
imitate him in his choice. You may not have a crown 
to resign, but you have a passion to conquer. You 
may not reach the summit of his fame, but you may 
determine your eternal destinies. You may be destitute 
of his opportunities and rank, but you may adopt his 
decision ; and in this he was most eminent and in imitat- 
ing his example you will be most glorious. 



THE CHOICE OF MOSES 235 

There are times in our lives when important de- 
cisions must be made. Every man is called to choose 
between honor and dishonor ; between labor and ease ; 
between self-denial and luxury; between suffering 
and pleasure; between the reproach of Christ and the 
pleasures of sin; between walking in the spirit and 
fulfilling the lusts of the flesh ; between eternal treas- 
ures and ephemeral pleasures; between the delights 
of heaven and the glittering seductions of the world; 
between Canaan and Egypt; between God and Bael. 
There are critical periods when the decision must be 
made. Sometimes the decision is in the realm of 
thought ; sometimes in the sphere of the affections ; 
sometimes in the force of will, and sometimes in the 
arena of citizenship. There should be no effort at 
compromise between truth and falsehood. Every im- 
agination of the mind, emotion of the heart, word of 
the mouth, act of the hand, deed in the home, or 
society, or church, is an absolute decision for or against 
God. We may be compassed about by golden calves, 
seducing Delilahs, tempting Jezebels and fair pros- 
pects, and our spirits may cry out after these things 
that decay and destroy, yet we must act the part of 
Moses in our decisions. Let his motives influence us 
in our choice. 

Consider the example of Moses. He came out from 
the courts of Pharaoh, and identified himself with the 
people of God. Had he not done this where would 
have been his splendid biography, his emulation in 
the hearts of men, his world-wide love? Had he not 



236 SOUL SAVING 

done this he would probably have been buried as a 
pagan, without hope, in a strange land, and no angel 
escort would have swept over the land of Moab in 
quest of him, and there would have been no dispute 
over his body. Standing by Moses in Egypt, his 
choice may appear foolish, but standing by the glo- 
rified Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, his 
choice was a wise one. Viewing him in the midst 
of the charms and fascinations of the Egyptian court, 
his choice was absurd, but viewing him today, en- 
shrined in the hearts of men, his choice was honorable. 
Read his epitaph today: "Moses chose to suffer af- 
fliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy 
the pleasures of sin for a season." Then "go and 
do likewise." Choose, considering the outcome. 
Choose, knowing that eternity is at stake. Choose, 
knowing that Heaven is to be gained and perdition 
to be escaped. Choose, knowing that a righteous 
choice will identify you with God's redeemed on earth, 
and his triumphant hosts in heaven. Choose, knowing 
that the invisible God is looking upon you from every 
cloud that sails, from every star that glitters, and from 
every event in your life. Choose, knowing that it is 
God's desire that you accept his Son as your Savior. 
Live in fellowship with him, walk worthy of your 
calling, serve him with your whole heart, and prepare 
to stand before his judgment bar to answer for your 
stewardship. 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the 
power of God unto salvation/' — Romans 1 :16. 

Surrounded as we are by the many blessings and 
victories, friends and followers of the gospel, it re- 
quires but little courage to declare that one is not 
ashamed of it. But when Paul uttered these words 
the gospel did not occupy the exalted position in the 
world that it does today. Then Christianity was just 
beginning ; today it can point to the triumphs of nine- 
teen centuries. It has received the homage of the 
noblest intellects and purest hearts. It has received 
the reverence of the civilized world; but in the time 
of Paul, it was in ill-repute and therefore required 
courage to profess and preach this faith. 

The humble origin of Christianity was not cal- 
culated to favorably impress the great men of the 
world. Its origin was in Palestine; its founder was a 
Jew ; he was the offspring of lowly parents ; his death 
was upon the cross. 

The Romans looked upon the Jews with contempt 
and the Christians were considered worthy more re- 
proach than the Jews. The religion of Christ de- 
manded faith in a crucified Savior; contrition and re- 
pentance; a new heart, a humble spirit, and a life of 



238 SOUL SAVING 

self-denial. It did not appear at first amongst the 
philosophers, the poets, theologians, conquerors and 
school men, neither did it provide gorgeous temples 
and an imposing priesthood. It was a stumbling block 
to the Jew and foolishness to the Greek. Paul was a 
Hebrew held in high esteem and repute amongst his 
learned country-men. He was a scholar versed in 
Grecian literature and history. He was a Roman cit- 
izen entitled to the immunities and privileges accom- 
panying such citizenship: therefore, considering 
Paul's scholarship and prospects, and the contempt 
in which Christianity was held, one could hardly ex- 
pect him to accept unlettered instructors and col- 
leagues, and turn against Judaism to which he had 
so faithfully adhered. Nevertheless, Paul did become 
a Christian, and declared that he was not ashamed of 
the gospel: not ashamed to profess it; not ashamed 
to declare it in Jerusalem, the capital city of the 
Jews; not ashamed to declare it in Athens, the city 
of Plato and Socrates; not ashamed to declare it in 
Ephesus, the city of Diana of the Ephesians ; not 
ashamed to declare it in Corinth, the city of world- 
ly pleasures; not ashamed to declare it in Rome, 
the city of Cicero and Caesar. He was not 
ashamed of Jesus, because Jesus was his Prophet, 
Priest and King. He was not ashamed of the gospel 
for it was the religion designed to transform and 
purify the world. He made this assertion, knowing 
that it would be read by the statesmen, philosophers, 
poets, orators, theologians and historians of the world. 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 239 

The Gospel of Christ embraces the biography of 
Christ, including the record of his birth in Bethlehem, 
his residence in Nazareth, his baptism, temptations, 
teachings, miracles, crucifixion, burial, resurrection 
and ascension; but it is more: it is a Revelation of 
God's goodness, power and love to man ; it is a record 
of the best system of morals and grandest code of 
ethics in the world ; it is declared to be glad tidings — 
"Behold, I bring to you glad tidings of great joy, for 
unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a 
Savior who is Christ, the Lord." Glorious good news, 
that Christ has come, that he has suffered for our 
sins, risen from the grave, and brought life and im- 
mortality to light. It embraces the glad news that 
God is reconciled to man, heaven to earth, and that 
man has a right to approach God through Christ. It 
tells man that there is pardon, peace, and hope for 
him. It embraces great facts to be believed, great 
commands to be obeyed, three promises to be realized : 
some of the facts to be believed, — Jesus died for our 
sins, was buried, and rose for our justification. Some 
of the commands to be obeyed, — to believe on him 
with all our hearts, to repent of our sins, to confess 
him before men, to be baptized in his name. Some of 
the promises to be enjoyed — the forgiveness of our 
sins, the gift of the Spirit of God, and the hope of 
heaven. 

The Gospel of Christ Jesus, sometimes called the 
Gospel of God, the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Glo- 
rious Gospel, was preached first at Jerusalem, then 



240 SOUL SAVING 

throughout Samaria and Judea, and everywhere it was 
received with joy and gladness. It is declared to be 
the power of God unto salvation. We all admire and 
respect power. The civil power is needed to preserve 
peace, promote liberty, maintain justice, and foster 
industry. The power of eloquence is needed to preach 
the Gospel of Christ, to impress it upon the mind and 
move the heart to obedience. The power of truth is 
needed to overthrow falsehood, silence objections and 
to shine in the lives of men. The power of miracles 
was needed in the early history of the church to con- 
firm the truths that were preached, to silence gain- 
sayers and to establish the Kingdom; but the "Gospel 
of Christ is the power of God unto salvation." The 
power of God is manifest in the forces of nature 
around us — in the creation of the universe, the gov- 
ernment of nature and the control of the affairs of 
man; but in the Gospel of Christ is manifest the 
"power of God unto salvation." Salvation means de- 
liverance from sin and perdition. Men are sinful 
and need salvation. Prophets of old saw the need of 
it; philosophers knew the need of it; the wretched 
condition of the world was a declaration of the need 
of it ; and God gave us this salvation to save men from 
their sins. "Unto salvation" — there is no narrowness 
in this term. It is co-extensive with the life of man. 
Man is ignorant of the true God, a slave to sin, cor- 
rupt in nature, an alien from heaven and under con- 
demnation. The Gospel awakens him from his sleep 
and is quick and powerful and sharp as any two-edged 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 241 

sword to convict man of his sins, of his unrighteous- 
ness, to warn him of Judgment to come and to save 
him. It is the "power of God unto salvation;" it re- 
quires power to pardon sins. Alexander had power to 
conquer the world by force of arms. Rome had power to 
render Britain tributary, to swell the Rhine with Ger- 
man blood, to over-run Egypt, and to subdue Judea, 
but these powers were not able to forgive the sins 
of man ; but the Gospel of Christ is the power of God 
to forgive men of their sins. It exhibits to the sinner 
Jesus as a willing Savior able to save to the uttermost 
all who will come unto him. It is to save from the 
power of sin in heart and life. The blood of Jesus 
Christ cleanseth us from all sin. It is to save from 
the punishment of sin in the life to come, and more 
— it is to have a present practical influence on our 
lives. It is the power of God to change our natures. 
It brings to man a new creation. If any man is in 
Christ he is a new creature. Old things have passed 
away and all things are become new. It produces a 
change of heart. It makes man hate that which he 
formerly loved : as a watch that is cleaned and oiled 
and put in working order, becomes, in a sense, a new 
watch, so the sinner in coming under the influence of 
the life and teachings of Christ becomes a new man. 
In Christ he is cleansed, sanctified, purified and taught 
to deny himself fleshly lusts and to follow after holi- 
ness. 

The Gospel is the power of God to adopt into His 
family. It makes man the heir of God and the joint 



242 SOUL SAVING 

heir of Christ. He is no more an alien, but is an 
adopted child of God. God looks upon him as his son 
and says, "I am thy God." He is no more an orphan, 
but has a heavenly Father, who loves and cares for 
him. 

The Gospel is the power of God to triumph over 
death. We are told in Hebrews that "since the chil- 
dren are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in 
like manner partook of the same; that through death 
he might bring to nought him that had the power of 
death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all them 
who through fear of death were all their lifetime sub- 
ject to bondage." By dying Christ took away the sting 
of death and now sustains and strengthens man in the 
approach of death. His promise is, "Lo, I am with 
you always." He says, "I will guide you even unto 
death." He enables his followers to shout, "Oh, 
Death! where is thy sting? Oh, Grave! where is 
thy victory?" 

The Gospel is the power of God to raise us up at the 
last day. "He that believeth on me hath everlasting 
life, and I will raise him up at the last day." "I am 
the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth on 
me shall never die." "We know that, if he shall be 
manifested, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him 
as he is." He shall change our vile bodies and liken 
them unto his glorified body. Such is the power of 
the Gospel of Christ. It has power to melt the 
hardened soul; power to cheer the broken heart; 
power to loose the captive; power to emancipate the 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 243 

slave; power to overthrow the heathen gods; power 
to give peace to the troubled heart; power to sustain 
in the hour of departure from the earth; power to 
wipe tears from the eyes of the mourning; power to 
raise us up at the last day, to stay the terrors of Judg- 
ment, and to admit into heaven. 

It is a constraining power. What is it that calls men 
and women to leave father and mother to go into 
distant lands and labor as missionaries? What con- 
strains men to stand before multitudes of their fellow- 
men, determined to know nothing but Christ and him 
crucified? It is the power of the Gospel. What con- 
strains the timid woman to walk the dark street at 
eventide to sit beside the victim of fever? What is it 
constrains her to visit the imprisoned and the profligate 
and read to them the story of the cross ? It is neither 
gold nor silver, neither fame nor worldly pleasures, 
but the power of the Gospel that inspires to these 
duties. What sends the martyr to the stake amidst 
the crowds of mockers and sustains hjm when the 
chains are being fastened and the faggots are being 
heaped around him? It is the power of the Gospel 
of Christ. It is this Gospel that enables him to say, 
"I know that my Redeemer liveth, and though the 
fire devour this body, yet in my flesh I shall see the 
Lord." What sustains the mother in the sick room by 
the side of the dying child with face blanched with 
consumption, and death fast approaching? It is the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ. What sustains the Christian 
as the earth recedes and the River of Death rolls upon 



244 SOUL SAVING 

the shores of Life? Does not the Gospel of Christ 
sustain him, and enable him to sing, 

"Jesus, lover of my soul, 

Let me to thy bosom fly ; 
While the nearer waters roll, 

While the tempest still is high. 
Hide me, Oh, my Savior hide, 

Till the storm of life is past ; 
Safe into the haven guide, 

Oh, receive my soul at last." 

To whom is this power manifest? Paul says, "To 
everyone that believeth." To the Jew first, and also to 
the Greek. It is not to those who only hear it and 
admire it, but to those who believe it and obey it. 
Its range is large. God's love is great. God is no 
respecter of persons. This Gospel is for the Jew and 
the Gentile; for those of culture and non-culture. It 
is a Gospel for everyone. There are those who are 
rich who think that the Gospel will do very well for 
the poor, and they have no need of it; and there are 
those who are poor who think the Gospel will do for 
respectable people, but not for them; there are some 
intellectual men who imagine the Gospel will do for 
ignorant people, but not for men of culture ; and there 
are some who are lacking in culture who think it will 
do for those advanced in knowledge ; there are some 
who think the heathen are well enough off without it, 
and there is no need in sending it to them. But Paul 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 245 

declares, "It is the power of God to every one that 
believeth." And for this reason he felt himself a 
debtor both to the Greeks and Barbarians, both to the 
wise and unwise. He knew no difference in nation, 
ability, or language, in creed or class. The Gospel 
is a message for the rich : it tells them of treasures in- 
corruptible that fadeth not away; it tells them how to 
become rich toward God. It is a message for the 
poor : it teaches them to be industrious and contented, 
to be happy and peaceful amid circumstances of out- 
ward poverty. It is a Gospel for men of learning: 
it sets before their minds sublime ideas; it tells them 
of a glorious hope and prospect of eternal progress. It 
is a Gospel for the ignorant : it is full of simplicity and 
comfort. Embraced within its fold have been men of 
giant intellects like Newton and Farraday, Miller and 
Herschel, and men of lowly position who have lived 
and died in obscurity and yet have been blessed and 
cheered along life's pathway by the Gospel of Christ. 
It is a Gospel for the sorrowing; a Gospel to melt the 
heart of Shylock; a Gospel to bring temperance and 
honesty to the world ; and a Gospel to spread the 
spirit of gentleness and love and peace over all. 

Within this Gospel may be found the solution to the 
great problems of Capital and Labor : herein the capi- 
talist may learn not to oppress the poor; ?nd on the 
other hand, the employee may learn not to rail against 
the employer, and both may learn to dwell together in 
unity, for God is the Maker of them all. Herein may 
be found the solution to every problem of society: it 



246 SOUL SAVING 

teaches men to honor one another, to love one another, 
and to live at peace as much as lieth within them. Here- 
in is found the solution to the question of the saloon : 
it teaches men to be sober, temperate, and practice 
moderation in all things. It is a Gospel to bless man 
in body, mind and Spirit. It is a Gospel to bless a 
community of individuals. It is a Gospel to exalt 
a nation in righteousness. 

Paul declares, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel 
of Christ." This was his vow, his boast, his glory. 
He was not ashamed to own it before the great tri- 
bunals of men ; not ashamed to confess it and defend 
it in the great metropolis of the world-wide empire; 
not ashamed to stand by it in Jerusalem, in Athens, in 
Rome ; no matter in whatever company, or city, or 
nation, it was his sublimest topic, his chief est joy. He 
was not ashamed of it, because it was God's power 
to save men ; because it had changed his life ; because 
it was the efficient remedy for the woes and ills of 
mankind. Like Paul, we should make it our life, our 
joy, and our glory. 

We should not be ashamed of the Founder of the 
Gospel. Though he was born in a manger; though 
there was no room for him in the inn ; though he was 
born of humble parents; though he lived in the little 
city of Nazareth; though he was tempted like as we 
are; though he was despised and rejected of men; 
though he ate with publicans and sinners; though he 
died an ignominious death ; we should not be ashamed 
of him, for he became poor that we through his pov- 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 247 

erty might be made rich. We should not be ashamed 
of those who obey the Gospel. There may be some 
church members who are ashamed of their poor and 
humble brethren, and who will not recognize them on 
society occasions, but Christians are not ashamed of 
the humblest disciples of Jesus; for their Lord and 
Master has declared that he is no respecter of persons, 
that the bruised reed he will not break and the 
smoking flax he will not quench, and that we are all 
brethren. What though they may not be rich, nor 
great, nor learned, we must remember that the least 
of Christ's followers is known to Jesus, and he who 
despises the least of them, despises the Lord; and he 
who gives a cup of cold water to any one of them gives 
it also to Christ ; that he who is ashamed of the disci- 
ple of Jesus is ashamed of Christ himself. 

We should not be ashamed to proclaim the Gospel 
of Christ. It should be our heart's desire to proclaim 
it. A great poet said, "I am a man, and everything 
human has an interest for me." But it was a finer 
sentiment of Paul when he said he was a debtor both 
to the Greeks and Barbarians, and to the wise and un- 
wise. And what was that debt ? That he might preach 
the Gospel to them. We are our brothers' keepers. 
If Paul, a Jew, was under obligation to do some- 
thing for the barbarians; if Paul, an intellectual 
man, was under obligation to do something for 
the ignorant — we, too, are debtors to the civilized 
and the uncivilized, the wise and the unwise, the 
rich and the poor, the Jew and the Gentile, and 



248 SOUL SAVING 

we should not be ashamed to proclaim the Gospel 
to them. 

We should not be ashamed of the excellency of the 
Gospel. It is the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, — 
replete with pity and pardon and full of interest and 
glory. It is excellent in its Revelations, — revealing to 
us a Savior of love and a God of power. It is excel- 
lent in its testimony, — announced in prophecies, in- 
augurated by the Son of God, established by miracles, 
witnessed by hundreds of believers. It is excellent 
in what it offers, — salvation from sin, peace in heart, 
and rest for the soul. It is excellent in doctrine, — 
how wise and instructive are its doctrines of faith, obe- 
dience and judgment, and suitable to the sinner. It 
is excellent in precepts, — they are holy, just and good. 
It is excellent in its ordinances, — how excellent and 
beautiful in the ordinance of Baptism, — it is the sym- 
bol of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. How 
excellent and beautiful is the ordinance of the Lord's 
Supper, — reminding us of Christ's sufferings and 
death. It is excellent in its privileges and promises, — 
sweet, various and refreshing, — promises of grace suf- 
ficient for every trial. 

We should not be ashamed of the victories of the 
Gospel. Its founder rose from the dead and gained 
the victory over Death. He ascended to heaven and 
was exalted at the right hand of God. This Gospel 
gained a victory over Judaism, Paganism and Bar- 
bar ianism. "It led captivity captive and gave gifts 
unto men." It gained victory over Sin. It opened the 



NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 249 

prison doors of Iniquity. It made pagan gods to totter. 
It has risen upon the world as a brilliant sun to shine 
with increasing splendor until the glorious consumma- 
tion of hope beyond. 

Shall we be ashamed of this Gospel? Shall we be 
ashamed of that which softened our hearts, opened 
our eyes and set us free ? Shall we be ashamed of the 
blood which pardoned our sins, elevated our souls, 
and inspired us with the hope of glory? Shall we be 
ashamed of him who conquered Satan, Death and 
Hades ? Shall we be ashamed of him who is the light 
and beauty of the world? Shall we be ashamed of 
him who is the Chief among ten thousand, and alto- 
gether lovely? Never! We exhort you, be not 
ashamed of the Gospel. Though materialists, philos- 
ophers, skeptics, and worldlings be ashamed of it, no 
matter where you go stand up for the Gospel of 
Christ: 

"Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 

Ye soldiers of the Cross, 
Lift high the royal banner, 

It must not suffer loss. 
From vict'ry unto vict'ry 

His army shall he lead ; 
Till every foe is vanquished 

And Christ is Lord indeed I" 

In the gaities of life, in the temptations of business, 
amidst scoffings and ridicule, be not ashamed of this 



250 SOUL SAVING 

Gospel. Assert your faith in it; stand by it; abide in 
it; advocate it. The proud are ashamed of it because 
it teaches humility. The skeptic is ashamed of it be- 
cause he that believeth not is damned already. The 
covetous are ashamed of it because the hopes of the 
covetous shall be cut off. The rumseller is ashamed 
of it, because "Woe unto the man who putteth the cup 
to his neighbor's lips!" The drunkard is ashamed of 
it, because it declares no drunkard can enter into the 
Kingdom of Heaven. The Romans were ashamed of 
it because they considered it foolishness. The Jews 
were ashamed of it because it was a stumbling block 
to them; but be ye not ashamed of it, because who- 
soever believeth on him shall not be ashamed, and 
whosoever is ashamed of it is guilty of sin, and re- 
bellion. Be ye not ashamed of it, because of those 
who are ashamed of him in this evil and adulterous 
generation, will he be ashamed when he comes in 
the glory of God in the clouds of the heavens. Those 
ashamed of Christ on earth will not be recognized by 
Christ in heaven. Those ashamed of the words and 
deeds of Jesus on earth, will find no Savior willing to 
own their words and deeds on the Day of Judgment. 
Christ is ashamed of sin, filthiness and iniquity. When 
he comes in the glory of God with the holy angels and 
ten thousand saints, those who have been ashamed of 
his Gospel, his love, and his sufferings shall stand con- 
founded, confused and ashamed in the sight of the 
joys and glories of eternity. 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest ."— Matt. 1 1 :28. 

There are many precious invitations in the Bible — 
invitations sent from the heart of God: invitations 
sent in times past through Moses and the Prophets, 
Christ and the Apostles. Invitations sent to the sinful 
and thirsty, the weary and heavy laden. Invitations to 
come to Christ, to find peace, pardon and hope. A 
precious invitation was sent through Isaiah: "Come 
now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: 
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white 
as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall 
be as wool." "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye 
to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, 
buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without 
money, and without price." Many precious invitations 
are given by our Lord and Savior: "Come, for all 
things are now ready;" "If any man thirst, let him 
come unto me and drink;" "Him that cometh unto 
me I will in no wise cast out;" "Everyone which 
seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have ever- 
lasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day;" 
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me 
hath everlasting life;" "Behold, I stand at the door 



252 SOUL SAVING 

and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the 
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 
and he with me;" "And the Spirit and the bride say, 
Come. And let him that heareth say Come. And let 
him that is athirst come : And whosoever will, let him 
take the water of life freely." But there is none 
more precious than the one of our text, "Come unto 
me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will 
give you rest." 

Restlessness has a cause. There is a reason for it. 
Everything is governed by law. Happiness is gov- 
erned by law. Rest is governed by law, and so is 
restlessness. To get rid of restlessness one must re- 
move the cause; and to possess rest, men must obtain 
the means and pay the price. 

Such a simple thing as the baking of a cake is gov- 
erned by law. A housewife cannot bake a good cake 
unless she makes the proper mixture of ingredients 
and sets the causes at work which bring about the 
result. A man cannot learn Astronomy unless he 
studies it, and so it is with happiness and unhappiness. 
Time may be well spent in studying the causes of 
unrest. 

Distrust of God. There is considerable inward 
murmuring against God's dealings with man. Some 
people blame their own inconsistencies upon God, and 
therefore murmur at the ways of Providence. They 
know not that "the secret of the Lord is with them 
that fear him and that he will show them his judg- 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 253 

Inward discord is another source of unrest. Pride 
and selfishness will bring about a state of restlessness, 
produce jars in business, discord in the home, collapse 
of ambition, and the conflict of our wills with others 
which make rest impossible. 

Outward circumstances ofttimes produce restless- 
ness. Some men think they could find rest in wealth. 
They seek for the patronage of men of wealth. They 
seek for rest in money markets, in railroads, in stocks, 
in bonds, in safety deposits, in government securities, 
in houses and in lands. They seek for rest in fine 
steeds, splendid carriages, costly furniture, downy 
beds, beautiful tapestry, exquisite paintings: but does 
wealth give rest? Does luxury give rest? How often 
in the midst of all these, with the lights out and the 
clock ticking away the time, slumber will not come 
to the weary brain, nor rest to the weary body. In the 
midst of riches men are often in anguish of soul. 
Some fear their riches will take wings and fly away. 
Some fear their riches will be stolen. Some fear their 
riches will be spent by dissipated children. Some fear 
bankruptcy and panics. Who can claim that he has 
found rest, peace, and satisfaction in worldly treas- 
ures? 

Some have an idea that rest could be found in the 
honors of the world. They think if they could only 
rise to a place of eminence, or if they could be elected 
to a political office, or if they could write a book, or 
make a speech, or have their names on the lips of ten 
thousand, they would find happiness: but has not 



254 SOUL SAVING 

this been tried? Have not ambitious men been ban- 
queted? Have they not listened to the hurrahs of 
multitudes? Have they not received garlands from 
galleries of beauty? Have not processions marched 
in their honor ? Have not papers heralded their great- 
ness? But did these things give rest to the soul? 
Have not such men been sad in the midst of the ap- 
plause of their fellowmen? Have not many of them 
wakened the next day to find themselves in the midst 
of execrations of those who once caressed them ? Have 
they not met with political rivals, been scorned by 
bitter enemies, and been forced to exclaim, "No rest! 
No rest!" When Charles Matthews was playing in 
London to immense audiences, a worn-out and gloomy 
man came one day into a doctor's office, saying, "Doc- 
tor, what can you do for me?" The doctor examined 
him and said, "You need rest. My advice is that you 
go and see Charles Matthews." "Alas! Alas!" said 
the man, "I myself am Charles Matthews." Jeffrey 
thought if he could only be judge he would be a happy 
man. He became judge, and then cursed the day on 
which he was born. Alexander conquered the world, 
and then drank himself to death because he could not 
endure the trouble it gave him. Burns was anxious 
to have the honor of courts and princes, and when in 
the midst of their joys he yearned to creep back into 
obscurity, to where he wrote about "The daisy, wee 
modest, crimson-tipped flower." At Versailles there 
are several miles of pictures painted of Napoleon and 
his triumphs; then, in another room in the corner, is a 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 255 

bust of Napoleon as he appeared at St. Helena. But 
Oh, what an expression on the face ! What a differ- 
ence of expression on the face of the Napoleon Tri- 
umphant and the Napoleon Heart-broken! 

Some think they could find rest in some other station 
or position. They have an idea that their genius is 
not understood, that they have been slighted, that 
they are kings uncrowned; that they have had no op- 
portunity to display their ability; that they have not 
been duly rewarded, and thus, being slaves of vanity 
and pride, and being anxious to seek rest in external 
positions and circumstances, they meet with disap- 
pointment and restlessness. 

Jesus understands all this. He knows what is in 
man. He knows the cause of restlessness and he 
knows what will produce rest, and therefore, he offers 
to impart to man just what he needs. He knows that 
man's weariness comes not from much work, but from 
work in the wrong way; not from the difficul- 
ties of the present life, but from the failure to 
learn the proper lessons from these difficulties; not 
from the burdens of life, but from the method of 
carrying the burdens ; not from the loads we have to 
bear, but from the way we bear the loads ; and there- 
fore, Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor 
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

Men are restless from overwork. God ordained 
that man should work. It is the proper condition of 
man. We were not made to be idle: our bodies and 
minds must be active in order to be healthy. Jesus 



256 SOUL SAVING 

says: "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work/' 
We ought to work up to our capacities. Work is 
pleasant and profitable, dignified and right, but the 
trouble is that men overwork, and do not work in the 
right way. You cannot overwork a machine, but you 
can an animal. As soon as you overwork your machine 
it stops, but a man may overwork and scarcely see 
the injury he is doing to himself. He works until 
"the last straw breaks the camel's back." Overwork 
is sometimes caused by an overestimate of our wants. 
Civilization has increased until luxuries have come to 
be regarded as necessaries. The rivalry in cities has 
led to costly living in dress, in furniture, in spread, 
and in display. A majority of the rich people were 
once poor; but as their means increased their wants 
multiplied and men have worn themselves to death 
laboring to procure means to satisfy their wants. 
Some have an overestimate of their powers. Work 
has not yet killed them, and they think it never will; 
they have an idea that bye-and-bye they will take 
matters easier; they boast of their power of en- 
durance; they seek for stimulants to carry on their 
work and to satisfy their ambitions. The spirit of 
modern civilization presses them. Some men become 
so engrossed in their pursuits of life that they have no 
time for the family, no time for worship, no time 
for prayer, no time to visit the sick, no time for phil- 
anthropic measures, no time for devotional exercise: 
time only for the management of their business. And 
thus, through the increase of our wants, the over- 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 257 

estimate of our powers, and the pressure of a high 
civilization, men become weary and heavy laden with 
work. They disobey the laws of temperance and mod- 
eration, and therefore are restless in their work. 

Some are heavy laden with life's drudgeries. They 
are engaged in a daily routine : they are weary of the 
rounds of sweeping, sewing, washing, and cooking. 
Mechanics, farmers, merchants, sometimes grow 
weary with the daily load of little things. A little girl 
once said to me : "I am tired of this thing of getting 
up in the morning and dressing, and this thing of un- 
dressing at night: will it have to be done all my 
life?" This daily routine often becomes intolerable to 
ourselves. It is expected that some people will never 
grow weary of their work: For instance, a pastor's 
wife may look after her own household, and then, be 
expected to look after other households, and then do 
pastoral work, and all other kinds of church work, 
and never grow weary and heavy laden. Of course, it 
is expected that a pastor will never grow weary of 
writing and studying sermons, will never grow weary 
of the cares and burdens of others which are pressing 
upon him. It is expected that a teacher will never 
grow weary of the routine through which he has to 
go, of being patient with incorrigible pupils, of being 
pleasant to everyone, of standing all the criticism 
heaped upon him without murmuring. It is not to be 
expected that a poor laborer on a dollar a day will 
ever grow weary of work, or weary of eking out an 
existence on such meagre pay. There is much of this 



258 SOUL SAVING 

weariness with life's work and drudgeries. Christ 
understood all this. He knew the heart aches and 
lonesomeness of all such and he invited them to come 
to him and have rest. 

Some are restless under the difficulties of life. They 
have been unable to avoid these; they seem to have 
no tact or skill to overcome them. Misunderstandings 
arise between good men; misunderstandings in the 
home; in business; and in the church; it is a hard 
thing to be misunderstood by a good man. There are 
times when business men seem to be forced to look 
after their own interests, perhaps to the detriment of 
their neighbors, and yet strive to do so without doing 
them injury. Society's domestic perplexities press 
upon the heart: misunderstandings between children, 
between husbands and wives, and between parents and 
children. Sometimes there are prodigal sons, way- 
ward daughters, unfaithful husbands, and disloyal 
wives. Thus, many are weary and heavy laden in the 
home. 

Some are distressed with poverty which they cannot 
overcome, with temptations that bear them down, with 
persecution so great as to make one wish that he had 
wings that he might fly away and be at rest. Christ 
knew the abasement of man and the difficulties that 
beset him on all hands, and unto all those who are 
weary and heavy laden with the perplexities and dif- 
ficulties of life he gave the precious invitation — "Come 
unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I 
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 259 

of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall 
find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and 
my burden is light." 

Some are burdened with the battle with self. Some 
have to struggle with flesh and blood; some have a 
bad temper to control, an unruly tongue to hold in 
check, a passionate body to keep under, lusty thoughts 
to dispel, and thus a desperate conflict is waged be- 
tween spirit and flesh. Jesus understood this, for he 
knew the nature of man, hence the invitation to come 
unto him and have rest. 

Some are restless because of sin. Man's heart 
sometimes is more like a city of destruction than a 
city of joy; it grows weary from the groanings within. 
Sin is a heavy load; guilt is an awful burden. Many 
live a double life — they serve God and mammon at 
the same time. On one hand they have a fit of de- 
pravity; on the other, they have aspirations to do 
better. At times they plunge into the vortex of sin 
like the prodigal; at other times they feel their guilt 
and cry out like the Publican, "God be merciful to 
me, a sinner!" Christ understood this and came to 
save the sinner. He came to give his life to ransom 
the lost. He knows how weary and heavy laden men 
are with sin, therefore, he invites them to come unto 
him and find rest. 

What is the rest that Jesus offers? It is not leth- 
argy, not a condition of inactivity, not a condition in 
which the powers of the soul are passive, for that 
would be contrary to all the laws of nature and God. 



260 SOUL SAVING 

It is rather a rest from weariness than from labor, 
a rest from much labor and not from a due amount 
of labor. It is neither confinement nor isolation, for 
to be in harmony with God's laws this rest must be 
compatible with service. It is not leisure, not a season 
of relaxation, but it is a rest in harmony with ac- 
tivity and peace. It is not absence of outward trial, 
for there is sorrow and tribulation in this world, and 
every man must expect sooner or later, to receive his 
portion of it. It is not always the removal of the 
burden, for Paul cried out to have the thorn in his 
flesh removed, but it remained; but God gave him 
grace to bear it. It is not a life free from duty, not the 
paradise of the sluggard, where there is no exertion, 
not the heaven of the coward, where there is no dif- 
ficulty to be met ; but it is a rest that is positive. 

It is an abiding calm within; it is a conscience that 
is at ease; it is a mind that is content; it is a heart 
that is full of love; it is a hope both sure and stead- 
fast; it is a fortitude that is ever willing to bear 
with the trials of life ; it is a security that arises from 
a strong faith in God; it is a peace within. The only 
true happiness is heart happiness. The only true 
peace is heart peace. The Kingdom of God is within 
you. The rest spoken of here is that which lies in 
the heart of man. It cannot be had by fleeing away 
to the wilderness, but by fleeing to Christ and learning 
of him. Christ says, "Come unto me and ye shall 
find rest to your souls." That is, he would put them 
in the way of securing rest ; he would tell them how 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 261 

it is to be acquired; he would give them the process 
of rest. "Learn of me," says he, "and ye shall find 
rest to your souls." Here is the cause and effect, — 
learn and rest. No rest without learning of Christ. 
He understood the art of living. He invites us to 
come to him and learn his way. Come unto me ; hear 
my words; follow me; reproduce my life; obey my 
teachings; take life as I take it, — meek and lowly in 
heart as I am; love as I love; be humble as I am 
humble ; serve God as I serve him. You will not find 
rest in outward circumstances, nor in books, nor music, 
though these may help; but you will find it in the 
poise of the soul, in the contented mind, in the for- 
giving heart, in the life that is properly adjusted to 
God's life. Therefore, to have rest we must come to 
Christ: he has it and will give it, for his promises 
are sure. 

We may go to church without going to Christ; we 
may go to the Bible without going to Christ. To go 
to Christ, we must submit to his rule, we must comply 
with his conditions, we must obey his word, we must 
have a personal interview and acquaintance with him, 
we must go in heart to his house, to his table and his 
throne ; we must go humbly ; v/e must go prayerfully ; 
we must go reverently and obediently ; we must go be- 
lieving that he will help us and give us rest. We must 
follow in the way that he has appointed; we must look 
upon him and become like him ; we must strive to re- 
produce his life in ours ; we must take life as he took it. 
If we will do this we will have rest for our souls. 



262 SOUL SAVING 

This we cannot find in any philosophy, nor in any 
code of morals, but in the person of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. It will be a rest from the fears which arise 
in unpardoned hearts, for he has pardon for every 
sin. It will be a rest from the burdensome services, 
for he will help to regulate the labors of life. It will 
be a rest from the weary ambitions, for he will help 
to make all our ambitions noble and pure. It will be 
a rest from sorrow, for he will give grace to bear it. 
It will be a rest from despondency, for he will give 
comfort and hope. It will be a rest in his knowledge, 
in his love, in his heart, and in his peace. 

Yes, friend, come to Christ and learn of him — learn 
his life and live it, and you will have rest. He had 
the right to say, "Come unto me;" "Learn of me;" 
"Take my yoke upon you, and I will give you rest." 
He had that "rest" in himself, and therefore could 
give it. Turn to his history, and you will behold one 
of the most troubled lives that was ever lived, and 
yet it was a life of rest. On the Mount, teaching 
the multitude; at the wedding feast, in the midst of 
the innocent joys of life, — and on through his life to 
the cross, we find tempest succeeding tempest and 
tumult following tumult: and yet his inner life was 
like a sea of glass. When he was tried by his disci- 
ples in their slowness to understand the word of God, 
when he was in open conflict and discussion with 
Pharisaical enemies, he was possessed of a perfect 
calmness. When he stood by the grave of Lazarus 
with his eyes dim with tears, and when he looked 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 263 

upon Jerusalem and grieved over her wickedness, 
there was that same calm, simple, restful heart within. 
Behold that peace that possesses his soul, whether it 
be in the quiet home at Bethany in conversation with 
a few friends; or whether it be upon the mountain 
top teaching the multitudes; or whether it be at the 
well of Samaria in conversation with a down-trodden 
woman; or whether it be in the midst of friends who 
were shouting "Hosanna to the Highest!" or whether 
it be under the fire of the perplexing questions of 
the Pharisees and Sadducees; or whether it be in the 
infamous court of Caiaphas, where witnesses were 
swearing falsely against him; or whether it be in the 
judgment hall of Pilate when the governor was ques- 
tioning him about his kingdom ; or whether it be upon 
the cross in the midst of a howling mob; there was 
always rest in his soul, peace in his heart, love upon 
his lips. Nothing could break the serenity of his life. 
Enemies could not move him. Misfortune could not 
touch him. Ambitions of men played no part with 
him. Death could not conquer him. The malignity 
of men could not lower his reputation because he made 
himself of no reputation, and was dumb before his 
accusers. He was reviled, but he reviled not again. 
His spirit was calm when the spirit of others was 
ruffled. In every emergency of life he proved himself 
the One only man, able to give rest to the soul. There- 
fore, could he say with good reason and with absolute 
authority, "Come unto me and find rest." 

Christ loves you, and if you will learn of him you 



264 SOUL SAVING 

will learn the way of peace. If you have never learned 
of him, do so now and it will be an everlasting day of 
calmness to your soul. But if you will not learn of 
him it will be darkness and dreariness. If you will 
learn of him he will take away your sins and give to 
you the repose of forgiveness and the assurance of 
eternal life. If you will learn of him you shall find 
rest unto your souls — rest from your inward disquiet, 
rest from the bondage of iniquity, and be assured 
you will find no rest out of him. Oh, come to him, 
for he has compassion in his eyes, love in his heart. 
Come to him, his arms are outstretched to receive you. 
You who have youth and life, come to him. You who 
have wealth and genius, come to him. You who have 
perplexities and duties, come to him. You who are 
weary and heavy laden, come unto him. You who 
have become dissatisfied with this world, come unto 
him; he will give all of you rest now; and bye-and- 
bye he will give you eternal rest — "for there remain- 
eth a rest for the people of God." He will give you 
rest from the toil, conflicts, sufferings, and crosses of 
this life. Come to him, and though your lot may not 
be one of wealth and affluence, though you may be 
deprived of comforts and luxuries, yet you may be 
made rich in heart, and when your life closes on earth, 
you will find rest in the presence of Christ and in the 
midst of loved ones. Up yonder remaineth the rest 
for the people of God. Those who have crossed the 
River of Death, steadfast in the faith ; those who have 
fallen asleep in sweet peace; those who have died in 



A PRECIOUS INVITATION 265 

blessed hope weary with life's struggles, are now at 
rest. Prophets and Apostles have gone over to take 
possession of that land of rest. There is Enoch, who 
walked with God and was translated to glory; there 
is Abraham the Faithful, now enjoying the fellowship 
of that city, not made with hands; there is Moses, 
the Law-giver of Israel, with face more radiant with 
the light of heaven than when he descended from the 
Mount; there is David triumphant; there is Paul ex- 
ultant ; there is Carey free from the dungeons of Bur- 
mah; there is Morrison enjoying the fruits of his 
labor; there are all the redeemed who have gone up 
from the nations of the earth ; there are the little ones 
who have been borne over on the wings of angels; 
there are the aged ones whose spirits have been trans- 
planted glorious. They are not dead — but at rest 
from the sorrows, separations, difficulties and sins of 
this life. They are not dead: they have only moved 
on. Hail, loved ones ! Hail, blessed spirits ! Glory is 
yours, Rest is yours, Peace is yours, Rejoicing is 
yours, in that ye have passed the flood and won the 
crown ! And while we wait, let us labor, let us pray, 
let us live Christ's life, let us learn the way of life 
and duty from him, that we may find rest for our 
souls here, and when the summons comes to clasp glad 
hands with those who have done with the sins and 
conflicts of this life, we may join with them in singing 
the praises of Him who hath redeemed us and given 
to us rest and peace on earth, and joy and glory in 
heaven forevermore. 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 

"Who was declared to be the Son of God with power 
— by the resurrection from the dead." — Romans 1 :4. 

All the scholars in the Christian world acknowledge 
that such a person as Jesus of Nazareth once lived on 
the earth. This fact has never been doubted by any 
man of learning. His life, as recorded by Matthew, 
Mark, Luke and John, is one of simplicity and wonder. 
His birth was announced by angels. The star ap- 
peared and the wise men were guided by it to Beth- 
lehem, where he was found in a manger. At the age 
of twelve, his juvenile intelligence confounded the doc- 
tors and teachers of the law. His request for bap- 
tism perplexed John so much that at first he refused 
to administer it. The manner in which he resisted 
the temptations in the wilderness commands the ad- 
miration of the world. His teachings were so unique 
that it was said of him, "Never man spake as this 
man spake." His wonderful miracles were talked 
about throughout all Judea, Galilee and the regions 
round about. He penetrated the future, and predicted 
events that would come to pass. One of the greatest 
events he foretold was his resurrection. He consid- 
ered the fulfillment of this prophecy sufficient evi- 
dence to establish his Divinity. 



268 SOUL SAVING 

While he was living he spoke of his death and res- 
urrection in this wise: "Destroy this temple, and in 
three days I will raise it up again." "I have power to 
lay down my life and power to take it up again." "An 
evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, 
but no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of Jonah, 
the prophet: for as Jonah was three days and three 
nights in the belly of the whale, so shall the Son of 
Man be three days and three nights in the heart of 
the earth." "It shall come to pass that they will de- 
liver the Son of Man to the Gentiles, to mock, to 
scourge, and kill him, and the third day he shall rise 
again." Thus he taught, and everywhere he went 
people in great multitudes gathered around him to 
see and hear. It was not long after he uttered the 
prophecies relating to his death and resurrection until 
they were fulfilled. It was only a few months until 
he was delivered into the hands of the Gentiles to 
be killed. He was condemned, scourged, and crucified. 

Did He Die? Ask the Jews, Scribes, Levites and 
Priests, who surrounded the cross, ask the soldiers 
who drove the nails, ask the centurion who had charge 
of the crucifixion, ask John the faithful disciple, ask 
the loving mother; all bear testimony to his death. 
The rending veil, the darkening sun, the trembling 
rocks and the opening tombs testify of his death. The 
soldiers who were sent to hasten the death of the 
victim and who pierced his side, testify of his death. 
Joseph, who wrapped his body in clean linen, and the 
women who aided in embalming and burying it in 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 269 

the sepulchre testify of his death. His sayings on the 
cross: "Father, forgive them, they know not what 
they do" ; "This day thou shalt be with me in Par- 
adise"; "Woman, behold thou hast in him at thy side 
thy son given back to thee"; "My God! My God! 
and hast thou forsaken me?" "I thirst"; "It is finish- 
ed"; Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit"; 
bear testimony of his death. 

Note the Means Used to Prevent His Resurrection : 
Immediately after his burial in Joseph's sepulchre, a 
delegation of the Jews called on the Governor, and 
said, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while 
he was yet alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' 
Command, therefore, that the sepulchre be made sure 
until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and 
steal him away, and say unto the people, 'He is risen 
from the dead/ and the last error will be worse than 
the first." The Governor said: "Ye have a guard; 
go your way and make it as sure as ye can." They 
took a detachment of soldiers, and rolled a huge stone 
to the mouth of the sepulchre, and set the Governor's 
seal upon it. The soldiers who were set to watch 
the sepulchre of the dead were amenable to a law, in 
penalty of death for any unfaithfulness. Thus you 
see every step was taken to prevent the removal of 
the body. 

This was a Solemn Time for the Friends of Christ : 
The Teacher was crucified, and the disciples were in 
mourning. The Shepherd was smitten and the flock 
was scattered. "The hopes of Israel were prostrate 



270 SOUL SAVING 

and bleeding at every vein. The one whom they had 
expected to restore the kingdom to Israel now lies 
silent in the tomb. A dark cloud hangs, like a pall, 
over the disciples ; their faith trembles, and some of 
them take up their former employment. It was a sad 
time for them. They had seen Jesus cleanse the leper 
in Capernaum, weep at the tomb of Lazarus, and 
sweat great drops of blood in the Garden of Geth- 
semane. They had seen him betrayed by one, denied 
by another, and forsaken by all. They had heard his 
comforting words, "I am the Resurrection and the 
Life; he that believeth on me shall never die." "Let 
not your hearts be troubled ; ye believe in God, believe 
also in me. In my father's house there are many 
mansions : If it were not so, I would have told you ; 
for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and 
prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive 
you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be 
also." And now this Jesus, in whom they had trusted 
for comfort and eternal life, in whom their hopes 
were centered, was powerless and silent in that lonely 
tomb. No wonder they were scattered abroad, sad 
and disappointed. 

This Was a Time of Rejoicing for the Enemies of 
Christ: They were enjoying a temporary triumph. 
They hated Jesus, despised his teachings, and feared 
the spread of his doctrine. But now that he is killed 
and buried, they can have ease and contentment. They 
need fear him no more. The priests can continue to 
offer sacrifices, make long prayers, dispense the law, 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 271 

receive the gold, and retain their positions of trust and 
profit. 

Christ's Authority as a Teacher will Soon be Tested : 
He will soon have an opportunity to prove his power 
over death. His disciples will soon know whether 
they have trusted an imposter or the Son of God. His 
enemies will soon know the truthfulness or the falsity 
of his wonderful claims. The reality of the future 
will soon be proved; His pretensions to Divinity will 
soon be demonstrated; His ability to save will soon 
be known; the efficacy of his blood will soon be pro- 
claimed; and his salvation for the world will soon be 
heralded. 

The Wheels of Time Seem to Linger : The moments 
pass slowly and sadly by. Saturday wears away, 
darkness follows the light. Solemnly the witching 
hour of midnight passes. The dawn of the third 
day approaches. Yonder is the morning star ! See ! 
the gray dawn of the morning cometh ! Behold those 
faint and glistening sunbeams shooting across the 
horizon! See that crimson light, soft and beautiful, 
as the King of day approaches! The interest of the 
occasion grows intense. Will he come forth? Has he 
the power to rise again? Is our faith and hope in 
vain? 

The Soldiers are at Their Post of Duty : They are 
filled with courage. They know but little about Christ, 
and consequently have no confidence in the claim that 
he will rise again. They think the victory will soon 
be theirs. "We shall soon return to the Chief Priests, 



272 SOUL SAVING 

be greeted with words of praise, shouts of triumph, 
and receive wages for guarding the sepulchre of the 
dead." 

But no ; they are soon aroused from their revery by 
an awful earthquake. Open, fly the heavens. Down 
come the angels. Opened are the gates of Hades. 
Back comes the Spirit of Christ and unites with his 
body. The Governor's seal is broken and the stone is 
rolled away. "Neither was he left in Hades, nor did 
his flesh see corruption." He comes forth declared to 
be the Son of God with power, a conqueror of Satan, 
of Death, of the Grave, and of Hades. He comes 
forth with the keys of Life, Death and Eternity. He 
comes forth and shows that death to him is but the rain 
cloud, which obscures the sun that continues to shine 
beyond, and then to burst forth in more brilliancy after 
the cloud has passed away. He comes forth, showing 
that death has no power over the real principles of 
life. He comes forth, showing that death is only an 
experience of life, and not the end of it. He comes 
forth, showing that life passes through death, un- 
harmed and unchecked. He comes forth to instill hope 
and courage into the trembling conscience, and to dry 
the tears of the disciples. He comes forth to announce 
his authority in heaven and earth, and to pronounce 
the terms of salvation to a lost and ruined world. He 
comes forth, to complete the plan of redemption, to 
establish his authority, and to prove the future state 
of existence. 

The Keepers Shook and Became as Dead Men: 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 273 

The sight of angels from heaven, clothed in shining 
apparel, and the sight of the dead starting into life, 
suspend the pulsations of their hearts ; as soon as 
they recover from the shock, they hasten into the city 
to relate such sights as they had never seen, such 
wonders as they had never witnessd, such feelings as 
they had never experienced. "Hush!" say the Chief 
Priests: "Here is large money; say that while ye 
slept, the disciples came and stole the body away, and 
if this comes to the Governor's ears we will persuade 
him and secure you !" 

Note a Few Arguments in Support of the Resurrec- 
tion of Christ: I shall dwell upon the proofs of his 
resurrection, because upon his resurrection rests his 
divinity, his church, and our faith and hope. Without 
Christ's resurrection our religion is a flimsy tale. With 
his resurrection established, the Christian religion is 
the grandest and best religion on the face of the earth. 

Some Proofs of his Resurrection are Derived from 
his Enemies : On the third day his tomb was found 
empty, and he was gone. If the Jews had had his 
body they would have produced it, and thereby silenced 
the report of his resurrection and added to their glory. 
But they did not have the body ; hence, they could not 
produce it. 

If His Body was not Raised, was it Stolen? But 
who would have stolen it? His enemies would not. 
They would not have added to his glory. They would 
not have undermined their glory by starting a report 
of his resurrection. His disciples could not have taken 



274 SOUL SAVING 

it. They were a few weak and timorous people, who 
fled the moment of his arrest. Even Peter trembled 
at the voice of a servant girl, and denied him three 
times. Would such people have dared to defy the 
Governor, the Sanhedrim, and to confront Roman 
soldiers armed and ready for danger? His disciples, 
few in numbers, unarmed, unaccustomed to war, and 
scattered, would certainly never attempt an attack on 
invincible regulars. If they relied on theft, they could 
not have hoped to find all of the soldiers asleep, be- 
cause death was the penalty for the soldier who slept 
at his post. If the guards had been asleep could 
the disciples have rolled away a massive stone, en- 
tered the tomb, and carried away the body without 
waking at least one of them ? Could they have carried 
it through the streets, teeming with the passing multi- 
tudes, and not have been detected ? Would they, when 
in such a hurry, have been particular before leaving 
the tomb to fold the napkins? If the soldiers slept, 
is it not strange that all slept at the same time? Do 
soldiers sleep when amenable to such laws? If they 
slept, is it not strange that they were not punished 
for it? They were either asleep or awake. If awake, 
why should they suffer the body to be taken away? If 
asleep, how could they know that the disciples took it 
away? What bold presumption, then, to depose it 
was stolen! These arguments deduced from the ene- 
mies' reports aid in confirming the testimony touching 
the resurrection. 

We next Consider the Testimony of the Disciples: 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 275 

There are ten considerations that add weight to their 
testimony. The number of witnesses. His first ap- 
pearance was to the women on their return from the 
sepulchre. He told them to tell his disciples he would 
meet them in Galilee. His second appearance was to 
Mary Magdalene, with whom he had a conversation, 
as recorded in the second chapter of John. His third 
appearance was to Peter, who had denied him just 
prior to his crucifixion. His fourth appearance was 
to two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. 
His fifth appearance was to the assembled apostles, 
all being present except Thomas. His sixth appear- 
ance was on the next Lord's Day to all of his apostles, 
at which time he held a remarkable conversation with 
Thomas. His seventh appearance was to the seven 
apostles at the Lake, where he questioned Peter about 
his love. His eighth appearance was to the great 
body of the disciples where there were over five 
hundred present. His ninth appearance was to James 
the Less. His tenth was to all the apostles on his 
ascension day. Lastly, he appeared to Paul as one 
born out of due time. The great number of these 
witnesses add weight and importance to their testi- 
mony. If he had appeared to but one or two, the 
testimony might have been doubted; but when he ap- 
peared so often and to so many there is no room left 
for doubt. There were a sufficient number of wit- 
nesses to establish the truth of his resurrection in any 
court of justice in the whole world. 

Consider the Character of these Witnesses: They 



276 SOUL SAVING 

were plain, honest-hearted men: men without reputa- 
tion to impose upon people, without riches to reward, 
without authority to compel, and without learning to 
persuade. Men incapable of putting a cheat upon 
others; men whose conduct proved the simplicity of 
their character; men such as are trusted for their 
honesty and virtue — When evidences of Christ's res- 
urrection come from such characters we must accept 
it as true or deny all testimony. 

Consider What They Assert: Had it been an as- 
tronomical calculation, involving deep study; had it 
been a metaphysical question depending on a chain of 
reasoning; had it been some complex question on 
chemistry, botany or electricity, or had it been a distant 
event, we might suspect their statements. But no: it 
is a simple fact, one plain truth to which they testify. 
They were eye-witnesses in divers places and at divers 
times. They could not have been mistaken, because 
they knew him. They heard his voice, conversed with 
him, sat with him, touched him and ate with him. 
Hence, the simple facts which they assert add weight 
to their testimony. 

Consider the Agreement of Their Evidence: They 
unanimously agree that Christ rose from the dead. 
Over five hundred people, with different capacities and 
tempers, slow, rapid, witty, duJl, timid, bold — all agree 
to the same. Fishermen, tent-makers, tax collectors, 
mechanics, and physicians assert that they saw him 
after he arose. Men and women alike agree in testi- 
mony: a perfect conformity to the truth, a perfect 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 277 

unity in evidence. Had it been a lie would it not have 
been detected? But all agree to the same thing, and 
this perfect agreement adds weight to their testimony. 

Consider the People before whom they gave Tes- 
timony: They gave testimony before Pagans, Sol- 
diers, and Governors ; they gave testimony before Law- 
yers, Doctors, Scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees; they 
gave testimony, be fore Priests and Chief Priests. God 
so ordained it that they testified before people of all 
nations — Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamians, 
Judeans, Cappadocians, Phrygians, Pamphylians, Cy- 
renes, sojourners from Eastern Asia and Rome. God 
so ordained it that they gave the same testimony in all 
the different languages then spoken ; for each sojourn- 
er heard them speaking in his own tongue. If this 
testimony had been preconceived would it not have 
been detectd as false by some one of such a company 
of men ? Had it been false testimony would it not have 
been detected and exposed by the lawyers, philos- 
ophers, and priests? 

Consider the Place in which they gave Testimony: 
Not in distant countries and foreign lands ; not beyond 
mountains and seas ; not far away where it was difficult 
for hearers to obtain definite information; but they 
published it at first in Jerusalem, in her synagogues and 
in her temples. They proclaimed it on the very spot 
where his resurrection took place. They displayed their 
Master's banner where he taught, suffered and was cru- 
cified. Considering the place where they first preached 
his resurrection adds weight to their testimony. 



278 SOUL SAVING 

Consider the Time of the Testimony : They did not 
wait for quiet and peace; they did not wait for the 
wrath of the Jews to subside; they did not wait until 
several years had transpired ; but immediately, only ten 
days after his ascension while the Jews were still trying 
to prevent it; while the Jews were still white with 
rage; while Calvary's cross was still dyed with blood; 
while his life, death and miracles were still fresh in 
the memory, they declared what they had seen. Con- 
sidering the time the testimony was given adds weight 
to it. 

Consider the Day on which they First Proclaimed it : 
They select one of the greatest days of all the year. 
The Jews had three annual feasts. During one of 
these feasts Christ was crucified, and now, during the 
Pentecostal Feast, they proclaim his resurrection. A 
day, on which were gathered at Jerusalem, people from 
all nations under heaven. Considering the day, weight 
is added to their testimony. 

Consider the Motives which Induced them to 
Publish it: Survey all the world, examine all history, 
examine all impostures practiced on mankind. There 
is but one design in deceiving: All deceivers deceive 
for their own interests. People practice falsehood, 
trickery, perjury for selfish interests. There is an 
interest of applause, of wealth, of fame, and of ease. 
Did they desire applause? No; Jesus told them they 
should be hated by all men ; that the time would come 
when men would think that they did God service to 
stone them. Did they seek wealth? No; they had 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 279 

to endure poverty and starvation, without even a hut 
to call their own. Did they desire fame? No; they 
submitted to what made them the hated of men and 
the off-scou rings and filth of creation. Did they desire 
ease? No; they toiled and suffered, in peril by land 
and by sea, by day and by night. To suppose them to 
be actuated by false motives is to suppose them to give 
up pecuniary interests, friends, ease, position, safety 
and life itself, and for what? To promote a base lie, 
to honor an imposter. Their motive was a desire to 
publish a truth, to honor God, and to save souls, 
hence their motives add weight to their testimony. 

Consider the Demonstrations made to support their 
Testimony : Imagine those twelve men addressing the 
thousands on the day of Pentecost in the following 
language: You refuse to believe what we assert. 
You think us enthusiasts. You count us drunk. You 
think that we are all infected with some hallucination. 
You think that we simply imagine we have seen a man 
whom we have not seen, that we have conversed with 
a man with whom we have not conversed, that we 
have eaten with a man with whom we have not eaten, 
that we have walked with a man with whom we have 
not walked. You consider us madmen who intend to 
surrender our reputations, our occupations, our profit, 
our ease, our all — and for what? Simply to spread a 
fanciful resurrection, and to spread it from land to 
land. But bring out your sick;, bring out your de- 
moniacs ; bring hither your deaf, your blind and lame. 
Let all tribes and nations bear witness. Behold, we 



280 SOUL SAVING 

restore hearing to the deaf, sight to the blind, speech 
to the mute, and make the lame leap for joy. Confront 
us with the Medes and Parthenians, and let those from 
Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia and Egypt sur- 
round us and listen, while we illiterate men, we Gali- 
leans, we disciples of Christ, we fishermen, discourse 
to each of you in the language of his people. We will 
explain prophecies, examine predictions, and make 
known mysteries. We will teach you notions of God, 
give you rules of conduct, grander than you have ever 
heard before. Aye, we can do more still. We can 
confer these gifts to you. We can communicate to you 
power to heal, perform miracles, speak in different 
tongues, explain prophecies. Hear that rushing, 
mighty noise like as a wind ! Hear these different lan- 
guages spoken ! See these miracles performed in your 
very presence! All these demonstrations, this testi- 
mony, we submit in proof of Christ's resurrection. 

Consider the Effect Produced: After the descent 
of the Spirit, after the display of tongues, and after 
the speech of Peter, who was appointed to open the 
kingdom, three thousand were pierced to the heart be- 
cause of their guilt, and cried out: "What must we 
do?" to which Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized 
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, unto the 
remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of 
the Holy Spirit." "They, then, that received his word 
were baptized, and there were added unto them in 
that day about three thousand souls." History has 
never witnessed such a day and such a revival. 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 281 

Consider the death of the Apostles : Traitors trem- 
ble at the sight of death; deceivers confess in the pres- 
ence of death; but as death approached the 
disciples they preached with more boldness. They 
feared not, they shrank not, they trembled not, 
they took nothing back. In face of death — a death on 
the cross, a death on the rack, a death by the sword 
or fire, they marched right on preaching the Resurrec- 
tion and heralding deliverance from sin through Christ. 

Considering, then, the number of witnesses, the 
character of the witnesses, the agreement of their evi- 
dence, the people before whom they gave testimony, 
the place, the time, the day, the motives, the demon- 
strations, the effect produced, the death of the wit- 
nesses, are we not justified in accepting the testimony 
presented as genuine? 

There is a Living Witness, called the Lord's Day: 
He rose from the dead on the first day of the week; 
on this day he met with his disciples to break bread; 
on this day the Kingdom of Heaven was opened on 
earth; on this day He sent forth his Spirit; on this 
day the Apostles and disciples met to break bread. 
John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. During the 
first, second and third centuries the disciples met on 
the Lord's Day to worship Christ, to study the Scrip- 
tures, to pray, to sing spiritual songs, and to celebrate 
the Lord's Supper. Coming down the ages, in spite 
of racks, punishments and imprisonments, his faithful 
followers have met on the Lord's Day to commune 
with him and to keep in remembrance his death, suf- 



282 SOUL SAVING 

ferings, and resurrection. On every Lord's Day mil- 
lions of people meet to commune with this Jesus who 
arose from the dead and "who has begotten us again 
unto a lively hope." The Lord's Day reminds us that 
Christ disarmed death, that he rose from the dead and 
was declared to be the Son of God with power — by 
his resurrection. 

This resurrection is the central truth in Christianity. 
Upon this theme the apostles discoursed ; this fact en- 
tered into all thier teachings. Baptism is a symbol of 
his death, burial and resurrection. His resurrection 
has given comfort to his disciples during all ages. 
With a risen Redeemer, they know that their faith 
is not in vain; that they have not followed cunningly 
devised fables ; that their hope is not in vain ; that their 
sins are pardoned; that their prayers answered, and 
that one day they shall be raised from the dead. 

His Resurrection Proves Him to be Divine : Jesus 
claimed to be the Son of God. This he frankly con- 
fessed before the Chief Priest. For making this claim 
he was condemned and crucified, and his resurrection 
vindicates the justness of his claim. God declared him 
to be the Son of God, with power by his resurrection 
from the dead. Peter said, "This Jesus whom ye have 
crucified God hath raised from the dead, exalted at his 
right hand and hath made him both Lord and Christ." 
Christ said that he had the power to lay down his life 
and power to take it up again. This power was within 
himself. Elijah raised the dead, but it was by a 
power without — a power that he had received from on 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 283 

High. Peter restored one to life, but it was through 
the power of Christ; but Jesus Christ had the power 
within himself. He raised Lazarus, Jairus' daughter, 
and the son of the widow of Nain to life by his own 
power. It was because there was life within him- 
self, therefore he could say, "Destroy this temple, and 
the third day I will build it up again." "I am the 
Resurrection and the Life." What a comfort ! What 
an assurance! Jesus Christ is declared to be the Son 
of God and the Savior of man by his resurrection from 
the dead. Here is an absolute certainty of salvation. 
Here is assurance of remission of sins. Herein the 
children of God are justified, walk in newness of life 
with him and have their lives hid in God with him. 

It Proves His Power Over Death: By dying he 
conquered death. "Since then, the children are sharers 
in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner par- 
took of the same; that through death he might bring 
to nought him that had the power of death, that is, 
the devil ; and might deliver all them who through fear 
of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." 

In the Resurrection of Christ we see Soul Victory: 
His resurrection is a complete demonstration of tri- 
umph. Death could not hold him. He won a victory 
over it. In Gethsemane his soul triumphed in obedi- 
ence to the will of God. On the cross his soul triumph- 
ed over physical woes. And on the Resurrection morn 
his soul triumphed over the grave and he gained Divine 
acceptance. It was the Divine seal of testimony to 
the perfectness and acceptability of his work. The 



284 SOUL SAVING 

raging of the wicked, the antagonism of error, the 
whole power of the enemy triumphed in crushing the 
truth, but in the resurrection is a demonstration of 
complete triumph over all. He took up his life again, 
and his triumph was but a triumph for all his followers. 
The Father's acceptance of him was the acceptance of 
the Church of which he is the head. Christ under- 
took this conflict for us. It was a battle between 
flesh and spirit, and the spirit won. If we have Geth- 
semane trials we can triumph through Christ. If we 
have Calvary suffering, we can triumph through our 
Redeemer. If we sin, Christ died on Calvary, a 
propitiation for our sins. If we are buried in a tomb, 
we can triumph through Christ. His resurrection is 
an assurance of our resurrection and therefore, we 
conquer by the power of his resurrection. Rejoice, 
and be glad, for in life, in toil, in suffering, in death 
we triumph through Christ. The soul is made a victor 
over sin and its consequences, over death and its power. 
Those who unite by faith to Christ are more than 
conquerors through him that lived. This soul triumph 
is seen in the life of Peter after he had seen and con- 
versed with the risen Lord. Before the resurrection 
of Christ he was fickle and impulsive, shrieking with 
terror when he saw Christ walking on the waves, per- 
mitting Satan to buffet him in the very presence of 
his Master, denying Jesus in the hour of his trial, 
fleeing from him in the hour of his crucifixion; but 
after he had seen the risen Lord, and looked stead- 
fastly into his face and heard his words, the timid 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 285 

man became bold, the weak man became strong, the 
fearful man no longer feared men who could destroy 
only the body. Then, he said, "It is better to obey 
God than man." Then, he was equipped for life's 
battles and life's work. His whole nature was 
changed. His will power was strengthened, his en- 
ergies were renewed, his zeal was rekindled, and his 
love was unbounded. Then, he was willing to give 
up all for Christ and to hasten from city to city, 
province to province, and kingdom to kingdom to tear 
down the strongholds of Satan, to preach the Gospel 
of Christ, and to establish churches of Christ. And if 
we believe on the Lord, as did Peter, our souls will 
become triumphant and we will become bold in pro- 
claiming the truth, brave in defending the truth, and 
strong in the love of the truth, because of the power 
of Christ and his resurrection. 

He arose that he might assert his authority in 
heaven and in earth: "All authority is given to me 
in heaven and in earth." "I have the keys of Death 
and Hades." "I am alive forevermore." Yes, he is 
alive and moving in triumphant march, mightier than 
when he was manifest in the flesh. He came forth 
from the grave, robbed it of its sting, showing that 
death had no power over him. He has power to save ; 
power to "lead captivity captive and to give gifts to 
men" ; power to wash us white in his blood ; power 
to send his angels to welcome us into that everlasting 
kingdom; and power to give to us a glorious immor- 
tality. 



286 SOUL SAVING 

His resurrection proves a future existence. "I am 
the Resurrection and the Life: "he that believeth on 
me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever 
liveth and believeth on me shall never die." "This 
day thou shalt be with me in Paradise." "God is not 
the God of the dead, but of the living." He descended 
into Hades, remained his appointed time, and came 
forth. Let our enemies speak of oblivion; let the 
devil tell us we live no more; let him argue that we 
drop into forgetfulness. We know it not. We believe 
it not. We have not so learned Christ. We know 
that we shall live, because our Redeemer liveth. We 
know that we shall see him as he is, and be like him. 
The school-master is not dead because he has closed 
the doors and left the building. We must not conclude 
that our friend is dead because he does not look out 
of the windows of the soul. Death is but an entrance 
into the future life, or rather the continuation of the 
life, without the body, in the world to come. 

He was raised that we might have hope in a glori- 
ous Resurrection: it assures us that we shall rise to 
be forever with the Lord. Christ is risen, and has be- 
come the first fruits. He rose as the forerunner of 
his people. As the first fruits were gathered, so shall 
the whole harvest be gathered. He is the father and 
we the children of the Resurrection. Then, "let my 
eyesight decay, let my body drop from me — let it 
wither, decompose, pass into dust: I know that I 
shall rise again, and have a glorified and immortal 
body. The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 287 

shall raise me at the last day." Let death come; let 
it sweep away our friends; let it tear away the dear 
ones of our bosom; let our eyes, all gushing with 
tears, our hearts all filled with sorrow, behold her 
expire who was our counsel in difficulty, our comfort 
in sorrow, our friend at all times; but, if we believe, 
we shall see the glory of God. "Lazarus, thy brother, 
shall rise again"; so our loved ones shall rise, for 
Jesus is our Resurrection and our Life. 

In conclusion, let me exhort you who are not Chris- 
tians to seek the risen Lord. There are too many 
seeking Christ in the grave. They think of his earthly 
life with its outward incidents and tragic close. They 
think of his ministry as coming to an end on Calvary ; 
but they should think of him as a risen Lord, as a 
living Lord, as being the head of the Church, as work- 
ing in human hearts, as governing the affairs of man, 
as blessing the lives of his people. As a risen Lord, he 
has spiritual sway over his people. It is not in his 
body that his presence consists, but in his all-pervading 
spiritual power and life that transforms the world's 
moral life. It is by the power of his sacrifice, his 
obedience, his resurrection, his continued work that 
he conquers. Kings and conquerors have passed 
away after careers of slaughter and oppression : death 
ends their power. Teachers and discoverers of truth 
leave an influence that outlives their earthly lives, 
but far beyond this is the work of the Son of Man. 
He arose that he might become the Divine light and 
life of men, that he might continue to illuminate and 



288 SOUL SAVING 

inspire the world that rejected him, that he might 
project his mission in the lives and hearts of his fol- 
lowers, that he might be an ever-present Savior living 
in heaven and living on earth; therefore, seek him as 
being present in truth, in righteousness, and in spirit. 
Look to him for the salvation of your souls. With his 
resurrection established, you have a sure foundation 
for your faith. Would you be numbered with the 
righteous, die the death of the righteous, have part 
in the resurrection of the righteous, and receive the 
reward of the righteous? Accept the risen Christ as 
your Redeemer. The Scriptures assure us that Christ 
will come again in an hour that we know not; that 
his voice will sound, and death and Hades will give 
up their dead; that all shall hear his voice and come 
forth. No ear can be stopped to the sound of his 
voice on that day. There will be a resurrection of the 
just and a resurrection of the unjust; a resurrection of 
the good and a resurrection of the evil; a resurrec- 
tion unto life and a resurrection unto damnation. 
The thief cannot take his spoils, the beggar cannot 
take his rags, the rich man cannot take his wealth, 
the king cannot take his crown. All must stand be- 
fore him in the true light of their characters. Joyful 
will be the portion of those who have part in the first 
resurrection; sorrowful will be the portion of those 
who come forth to the resurrection of the unjust. If 
you have not risen with Christ from your sins, then 
you have no hope of attaining to the resurrection of 
the just. Oh, then, come today to this risen Christ, 



THE .RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 289 

who is living and moving amongst men, who has the 
keys of death and Hades, who 'is able to save your 
souls and raise you up at the last day, open the gates 
of heaven to you, and grant you the privilege of sit- 
ting down with him in the throne of God. 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth," 
Eccl. 12:1. 

These are the words of Solomon, and the wisdom 
of the- world supports his wisdom in affirming that 
the best safeguard to the morals, honor, reputation, 
character and future prospects of the youth is to re- 
member God in the morning of life. 

Our text suggests four questions : remember whom ; 
remember how; remember when; remember why. 

Remember "Whom?" Our text declares "Thy 
Creator." This language implies that man has a Creat- 
or. Man is a dependent creature and therefore could 
not create himself; he could not have made himself, 
for that would have necessitated his action before his 
existence. God is his Creator — the one living and 
true God, the Creator of the universe, the One who 
created the heavens and the earth, the One who made 
of one blood all nations to dwell upon the earth. "It is 
God who hath made us and not we ourselves;" God, 
the Father of Jesus Christ, who is the express image of 
the Father, and by whom all things are made, and with- 
out whom nothing is made. God has wonderfully and 
feafully made man — made him as by needle-work. 
Could you view man as through a transparent medium 



292 SOUL SAVING 

and behold the operation of all his organs, what a won- 
derful piece of machinery you would find him to be! 
The eye with its window and lens ; the ear with its 
paraphernalia and drum ; the tongue with its countless 
operations and various functions ; the lungs with their 
inhalations and exhalations; the heart throbbing with 
its ceaseless beats; the stomach with its gastric juice 
digesting the food; the lacteal nerves of the bowels 
with their assimilating power; the liver with its se- 
creting power; the kidneys with their purifying pow- 
er; the nerves, muscles, bones, sinews and the triple 
skin punctured by millions of pores, all present an 
appearance of mechanism that required a God to con- 
ceive as well as a God to make. Our text implies that 
man originally knew God ; that even in his fallen con- 
dition he is not destitute of the knowledge of God. 
Paul expressly declares that the visible things of 
Nature declare the glory of God, and show forth the 
power of his handiwork. Therefore, in reply to the 
first question as to whom we are to remember, it is 
evident the one Being, who deserves to be remem- 
bered above all others, is God — our Father, Creator, 
Preserver and Redeemer. 

Remember "How." This is figurative language that 
expresses our walk with God. We remember him by 
setting him always before our faces, dwelling in the 
secret place of the Most High, abiding under the 
shadow of the Almighty. To remember him is to have 
the thought of God constantly present with us, to keep 
us faithful, contented, humble, pure, peaceful and 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 293 

hopeful. Our text implies that man may forget God. 
Moses greatly feared lest the children of Israel should 
forget God ; should forget Him who had blessed them 
and brought them out of Egypt, the land of bondage, 
by a hand of mighty power; forget Him who had 
encamped behind them as a pillar of cloud and 
marched before them as a pillar of fire; forget Him 
who had fed them with manna from on high when 
they were on the point of starvation ; forget Him who 
sent water when their tongues were parched in the 
wilderness; forget Him who had defeated their ene- 
mies and given them such great victories. 

The one characteristic of the wicked is that God 
is not in all their thoughts. David declares that the 
wicked, through the pride of his countenance, shall 
not seek after God ; that God is not in all his thoughts ; 
that the fool hath said in his heart, "There is no 
God" ; that whereas the good man meditates upon God 
in the day and by the night watches, the wicked cast 
him out of their thoughts. This is a sin against 
which Christians have to guard. The Apostle exhorts 
us, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you 
an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living 
God." It is a sin which shall receive an awful pun- 
ishment, for the Scriptures declare that the wicked 
and those who forget God shall be turned into hell. 
Again, the Psalmist exhorts people to consider lest 
they forget God and be torn into pieces, and have 
none to deliver them. 

We remember God by thinking about Him. Our 



294 SOUL SAVING 

God is a living, personal, intelligence. He is pos- 
sessed of attributes. He is possessed of a character 
that is perfect — a character that we may think about 
and imitate. "The wicked may trust in chariots and 
horses" ; says David, "but we will remember the name 
of the Lord our God. I will trust and not be afraid, 
for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song." 
We should reflect on his holiness for he is perfect 
in all respects. "Glorious in holiness, fearful in 
praises, continually doing wonders." We should re- 
member his goodness. "Despiseth thou the riches of 
his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering, not 
knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to re- 
pentance? But after thy hard and impenitent heart 
treasurest up for thyself wrath against the day of 
wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of 
God; who will render to every man according to his 
works." 

We remember him by acknowledging his providence 
that ruleth over all. "We should bless the Lord with 
all our souls and forget not all his benefits, who forgiv- 
eth all our iniquities, healeth all our diseases, redeem- 
eth our life from destruction, crowneth us with loving 
kindness and tender mercies-, satisfieth our mouth with 
good things, so that our youth is renewed like the 
eagles'." One who merely accepts God's daily ben- 
efits without any gratitude or acknowledgment, there- 
fore, is guilty of forgetting God. 

We remember God by meditating upon his word. 
We must not forget that he has revealed to us words 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 295 

of truth and grace, and like David, we should med- 
itate upon his word by day and by night. The Scrip- 
tures are sufficient to make us wise unto salvation. 
David says, we are converted by them. Christ says, 
we are sanctified by them. Paul says, we are begotten 
by them. Peter says, we a*re born again by them. We 
should, therefore, remember God by studying his word 
and keeping it. It should dwell richly in our hearts. 
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto 
my path." 

We remember God by obeying his Son. This is the 
will of God that we believe on him whom he hath 
sent. Jesus said, "Ye are my disciples if ye do what- 
soever I command you." "He that hath my words and 
keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." The Apostle 
declares that Christ is made the author of eternal sal- 
vation to all who obey him. Again, "In flaming fire 
God will take vengeance on all who obey not the 
Gospel of Christ." The true test of discipleship is 
faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his revealed 
will. If Christ is forgotten, God is forgotten; if 
Christ is rejected, God is rejected. To receive Christ 
is to receive God, and to honor Christ is to honor God. 

We remember God by attending his house. He 
promises that where two or three are gathered to- 
gether in his name that he shall be in their midst. 
The rich and poor meet together — the Lord is the 
maker of them all. "I had rather be a door-keeper in 
the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of 
wickedness." In the house of God the disciples meet 



296 SOUL SAVING 

to have fellowship with one another, to study God's 
word, to pray, to sing his praises, and to remember the 
Lord's death and Resurrection. We should, there- 
fore, remember him by being prompt and regular in 
our attendance at the services of the church. 

Remember "When?" "In the days of thy youth." 
Not then only for it is our duty to remember God 
along the whole journey of life — to begin and con- 
tinue in this remembrance. No age exempt from it 
and no sex excluded from it. The religion of Christ 
is a religion of hope for the youth, and a religion of 
comfort for the aged. It is as becoming to man to 
remember God as it is to the youth. Our text em- 
phasizes, in point of time, to remember God in the 
days of youth. Christ says, "Seek ye first the king- 
dom of God and his righteousness and all these things 
shall be added unto you." "They that seek me early 
shall find me." Scripture writers are unanimous in 
recommending early godliness. Moses commanded to 
gather together men, women, and children and the 
strangers within the gates, to hear and learn of God, 
to do all the words of the Law, and especially did he 
command that the children should hear and learn to 
fear the Lord their God. David, in the thirty-fourth 
Psalm, says, "Come, ye children, hearken to me and 
I will teach you the fear of the Lord." In the third 
chapter of Proverbs, Solomon says, "My son, forget 
not my law, but let thine heart keep my command- 
ments, for length of days and long life and peace shall 
they add to thee." Paul praised Timothy for knowing 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 297 

the Scriptures from his youth. It was said of Jesus 
that he grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with 
God and man. At the age of twelve he was found in 
the temple about his Father's business, thus setting 
an example for youth for all time to come. 

Remember "Why?" Why remember thy Creator 
in the days of youth ? Because he is worthy of being 
remembered. He is a God of loving kindness, tender 
mercy, and forgiving spirit. He has given to us life, 
breath, and all things. He therefore has a right to our 
remembrance. It is a reasonable service. We should 
remember him in the days of our youth because it is 
a formative period. It is a period for forming habits. 
It is a period when impressions are most readily made 
and are most lasting. The mind of the youth is like 
the cement pavement — at first pliable, but later on hard 
and fixed as rock. Of this truth Memory also affords 
a specimen. Aged people remember distinctly the 
events of early life, while those of a later date are 
readily forgotten. This is true of our other faculties. 
We learn rapidly in early life, but the faculty of ac- 
quiring knowledge is greatly lessened as age advances. 
Again, in the morning of life preparation is made for 
life's work. It is a period when foundations for fu- 
ture usefulness and happiness are laid. It is the period 
when education is obtained, apprenticeship served and 
business or profession for life, chosen. It is also the 
period when associations and friends for life are se- 
lected; then, how vastly important that during this 
formative period God be remembered and consulted so 



298 SOUL SAVING 

that wise decision be made, character formed aright, 
and salvation of the soul be assured. 

God should be remembered in the days of youth for 
it is natural then to do so. The youth has faith in 
his parents and friends. His confidences are strong 
and lasting. Faith in God is easy and natural. He 
can readily rise from faith in earthly parents to faith 
in the heavenly parent. He is quick to respond to 
the appeals to conscience, easily persuaded to give his 
heart to Christ. The Gospel has irresistible attrac- 
tions for him, hence every encouragement should be 
given to remember God in the days of youth. 

Centuries ago Gregory said that the Bible is like a 
river, in which an elephant may drown and yet a lamb 
can ford. He meant that while a lamb — a little child — 
can believe the truths of the Bible many of the most 
learned find belief difficult because they have not been 
brought under the influence of these doctrines in early 
life. A child rapidly receives the truth. Jesus there- 
fore says whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of 
God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein." 
The little child has no prejudices and no persuasive 
theories to give up ; he has but little to unlearn. He has 
a strong faith in Jesus. He believes with a faith that 
makes everything real. He believes in all humility. 
He trusts his teacher and receives his words as de- 
cisive. He believes in Jesus and cares nothing for crit- 
ical points, and hair-splitting theology over the fore- 
ordination, destination, and condemnation of men. 
Would to the Lord that all adults would come to 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 299 

Christ as children come to him ; would believe on him 
as children believe on him ; sing his praises as children 
sing them ; love him as children love him ! God forbid 
that any should be like the disciple of Jesus, who for- 
bade the little children to come to him, to whom our 
Savior replied, "Suffer the little children to come unto 
me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom 
of Heaven." He took the little ones in his arms, put 
his hands upon them, and blessed them. 

It is the most convenient time. Young people have 
leisure ; their moments are not occupied with so many- 
cares ; they are not as busy as heads of families, mas- 
ters of shops, or those who have professional duties to 
perform; therefore, they have a better opportunity to 
learn the ways of wisdom. Parents, pastors and teach- 
ers know this to be true, hence they have afforded the 
youth special opportunities for acquiring knowledge of 
God's salvation. 

It is an act of supreme wisdom. It is a sorry thing 
to give God only the dregs of life, to delay till the 
eleventh hour, even though man is acceptable at that 
hour. It is unreasonable to wait until old age to obtain 
an education, or to learn a business, and it is more 
unreasonable to delay until old age to give the heart to 
Christ. It is the height of folly to wait until the facul- 
ties have faded, the powers of discernment weakened, 
the conscience seared, and the voices of heaven fail to 
interest, before giving attention to the salvation of 
the soul. 

The force of habit is another argument. Habits 



300 SOUL SAVING 

long continued are exceedingly difficult to change, es- 
pecially bad habits. Ask the man confirmed in the hab- 
its of dissipation if this statement is not true. He would 
reform, but he cannot. The same is true of good habits. 
If a man is confirmed in religious habits it becomes 
second nature to him ; he will not turn out of the way. 
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when 
he is old he will not depart from it." Therefore, be- 
fore impious habits are formed, while hearts are ten- 
der, affections strong, and character developing, God 
should be remembered. 

It is the only way to get started right. A good be- 
ginning is half ended; a right start, and the battle 
is half fought ; a wrong start and a bad ending ; a good 
foundation must be laid for a good life. Every youth 
should be ambitious to start right. How better start 
right than by getting the heart right with God and by 
getting on the right way? The way of Christ is the 
right way. Have you abounding energy? Christ will 
assist in employing this aright. Have you great temp- 
tations ? Christ will help to overcome them. Joseph's 
recollection of Jehovah helped him to resist tempta- 
tion and turn away from sin. Have you hard ques- 
tions ? Christ will help to solve them. He is a friend 
that will stick closer than a brother. 

The shortness of time sustains this position. The 
sooner children come to Christ the less they have to 
repent of, and the longer time to repent in. Is it not 
a nobler sight to see an entire life, from youth to age, 
given to Christ, than to see the early life spent in sin 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 301 

and the middle life in folly, and then an effort made 
in old age to build upon the shaky foundation of past 
sin and impiety? Again, the morning of life is the 
surest time of success. Those who deliberately set 
out to obtain salvation when they are young and 
healthful are sure to succeed and but few will entertain 
doubts of their sincerity ; but those who wait until they 
are old and feeble, and about to die, have reason them- 
selves to question their sincerity; and their friends 
may doubt the motives that lead them to make 
an effort to become Christians. I do not claim that 
all conversions in old age are delusions, for who 
knoweth the heart, save God? — but, admitting that 
many are genuine, yet the argument still holds good, 
that early life is the time to prepare for every emer- 
gency ; the time to lay up in store a goodly foundation 
for the future. Solomon says, "The fear of the Lord 
is the beginning of wisdom." Parents are exhorted 
to rear their children in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord. Surely, then, so important a matter as 
saving the soul should be looked after as soon as the 
age of accountability is reached. Therefore, "it is 
good for man to wear the yoke in his youth" ; to seek 
the Lord while he may be found ; to call upon him 
while he is near; to remember him in the days of 
youth. 

God should be remembered in the days of youth, 
before the evil days come. They are sure to come : no 
matter how young, hale and prosperous, the afflictions 
and sorrows of life will come. Whether the youth of 



302 SOUL SAVING 

today shall be rich or poor, honorable or dishonorable, 
no man can tell; but all men are born unto sorrow 
as sure as the sparks fly upward. All men hope for 
the best, yet some will be doomed to abject poverty; 
some to be outcasts in society; some to encounter ter- 
rible enemies; some to be left under the sting of dis- 
appointed ambitions and blasted hopes; some to fol- 
low their dearest friends and relatives to the tomb; 
some to be left orphans to seek bread for themselves ; 
some to linger under chronic diseases; and all to 
die and go the way of all the earth. Hence the im- 
portance of early godliness ; hence the necessity of re- 
membering our Creator before the evil days draw 
nigh; hence the necessity of having God for our 
stronghold when affliction and trouble come upon us. 

If God is not remembered in youth he is apt to be 
forgotten in age. Those who pass through youth and 
middle age forgetting God, will, in all probability, die 
out of Christ. Nine-tenths of the converts to Christ 
come from the ranks of youth. Timothy knew the 
Scriptures from his youth up. Had Saul of Tarsus 
not been converted when a young man there would 
have been no Paul in history. Polycarp was converted 
at the age of nine years; Matthew Henry at eleven; 
Dr. Watts at nine; President Edwards at seven; 
Bishop Hall at eleven; and Robert Hall at twelve. 
Ninety-two out of one hundred of the foremost Chris- 
tian women of England gave their hearts to Christ 
before the age of twenty. Of one thousand converts 
made to Christ, during a definite period of my min- 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 303 

istry, less than a score were beyond the age of forty, 
and the majority of them were under the age of 
twenty. If conversion does not take place in youth, as 
a rule the heart becomes harder, sin more familiar, 
Satan more seductive, the world more fascinating, the 
conscience more seared, the Gospel invitations less per- 
suasive, the prayers and entreaties of friends less ef- 
fective, the soul less interested in salvation, and 
heaven less attractive. These facts emphasize the im- 
portance of remembering God in the days of youth. 
Parents should not only endeavor to train up their 
children in the way they should go, but co-operate with 
Sunday-school teacher and preacher in bringing them 
to an open acceptation and confession of Christ. Some 
parents claim they do not wish to exercise so great 
influence over their children in religious matters, but 
in nothing else do parents pursue such a course. They 
insist on their children attending school, though they 
may not want to do so; they insist on the children 
adopting certain customs and manners, though the 
children may not wish to do so. They insist on the 
children accepting certain standards of morality though 
the children may not desire so lofty ideals. Some 
parents object to their children becoming Christians 
on the ground that they will not hold out, but such an 
objection is contrary to all experience. The percentage 
of steadfastness on the part of the children is much 
greater than on the part of the aged converts. It is 
told that a certain deacon in Maine, who would not 
allow his boy to become a Christian because he was 



304 SOUL SAVING 

"too young," saying, "Wait awhile till you show that 
you are pious," was found by the good minister, who 
did not coincide with his views, on one cold spring 
day driving the sheep and lambs into the barn. "Why 
do you do this?" said the pastor, to which the deacon 
replied, "I fear the lambs would freeze to death if 
left out over the night." "But," said the pastor, 
"would it not be as well to leave them out till they 
show that they are going to live before you drive them 
in?" The deacon took the hint, and raised no further 
objection to his son becoming a Christian. I have a 
record of a number of cases where parents refused 
permission to their children to become Christians, and 
as a result, the children grew up without Christ, and in 
several instances became desperately wicked, and in 
all the cases, the parents lived to regret the course they 
pursued. If youth passes without education, as a rule 
life passes without learning. If youth passes without 
training in morals, as a rule life passes without good 
morals. The same is true in the training of youth in 
faith, hope, love, and worship. If this is not done 
in early life, as a rule life passes without Christ and 
Christianity. It is an awful responsibility that a parent 
assumes when he prevents his child from becoming a 
Christian. Better that a millstone be tied about the 
neck of the parent, and he be cast into the depths of the 
sea, than to prevent one of the little ones coming to 
Jesus. Sunday-school teachers should feel deeply the 
responsibility placed upon them in the training of 
their pupils. They should not cease to pray and work 



IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH 305 

for their salvation till everyone in their charge is made 
a disciple of Christ. Many a convert to the Lord 
has good reason to thank God for his Sunday-school 
teacher. Every teacher that resolves in the heart to 
bring the pupils to Jesus, and sets about it in prayer, 
in kindness, in persistent effort, will be greatly reward- 
ed by being able to present the entire class to God, 
washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. All 
youths old enough to know what sin is, what truth is, 
and to know the difference between right and wrong 
are old enough to give consideration to their soul sal- 
vation. If the masses are to be evangelized it requires 
no extensive learning to solve this problem — win the 
children and you win the men ; save the young and you 
save the old ; soften the heart of the child and you will 
soften the heart of Shylock. Rear them right, and 
they will remain right; train them in the way they 
should go, and they will travel that way. Start them 
in the narrow path to heaven and it will shine brighter 
and brighter upon them till the perfect day. 

Now is the season for the young to remember Christ, 
to give their hearts to him, to trust him, to obey him. 
If this is not done, of what avail all your knowledge 
and opportunities, and of what benefit all the instruc- 
tion of parents and teachers ? Today, if you wjll come 
to him, he will in no wise cast you out. Now 
is the time to remember God with your love, confession 
and obedience; now remember him who has not for- 
gotten you in blessing you with home and friends, op- 
portunities, privileges, health, happiness, and the offer 



306 SOUL SAVING 

of Christ's salvation. "Seek first the kingdom o,f God 
and his righteousness." The greatest commandment 
is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and 
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." 
"They that seek me early shall find me." 
Then, "seek the Lord while he may be found, call 
upon him while he is near." 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED 
SAVIOR 

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, 
and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, 
and his own received him not. But as many as re- 
ceived him to them gave he power to become the sons 
of God."— John 1:10, 11, 12. 

Herein is a double rejection of Christ. The first 
rejection is stated in the sentence, "He was in the 
world, the world was made by him, and the world knew 
him not." He has been in the world ever since its crea- 
tion. In Him all things live and move and have their 
being. His presence has been continuous with man 
ever since he was created. His life has always been 
the light of men. Being the Creator of the world he 
has had a right to be in the world. He has been in its 
laws and order; in its beauty and conscience; in its 
reason and religion. Yes, in the world by Spirit and 
Power, by Life and Revelation. 

Herein we learn of his special presence — his presence 
as one of the world's inhabitants ; being under its laws ; 
subject to the powers that be. He was in the world, 
manifest in the flesh; bone of our bone and flesh of 
our flesh. His presence in the world presents the great 
est wonder. Think who he was — the Son of God. "In 



308 SOUL SAVING 

the beginning was the word and the word was with 
God and the word was God, and the word was made 
flesh and dwelt amongst us." This is a wonderful fact 
in the history of the world; so wonderful that it has 
engaged the attention and interest of angels and men. 
His special presence in the world shows his great con- 
descension : This world, compared with the mansions 
in the heavens, is but a hut in size, a particle of dust 
in glory, a passing ray of the sun, an insignificant ter- 
ritory in rebellion, a valley of desolation and death. It 
would have been a condescension for an angel to have 
come to live in this world, but a greater condescension 
for Him who is the Lord of Angels. Consider how he 
came into the world — not in a palace, not rolling in 
wealth and luxury, but in a stable, moving from place 
to place, homeless, poorer than the foxes of the fields. 
And too, he came not as an intruder, not as an in- 
fringer, not as a transgressor, for it was to his own 
world that he came. Herein is a display of the greatest 
love. Naught else will account for his coming. There 
was no attraction in the moral sense. Its inhabitants 
were unfriendly, hostile to each other and hostile to 
him. They were trampling under foot his bounties, 
rejecting his teachings, reeking their mad and murder- 
ous impulses on one another. But he loved the world 
and voluntarily came into it. Herein is a principle of 
the greatest importance. His coming was so important 
that it was told by prophets, foreshadowed by priests, 
manifested by types, kept before the world by ritual- 
ism, expected from time to time; so important that 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED SAVIOR 309 

the world was four thousand years preparing for his 
coming and looking forward to that event as the great- 
est in all history. Herein is manifested a principle of 
the greatest benefit. The benefit the world derived by 
his coming was salvation — salvation from sin, its do- 
minion and consequences ; salvation for both time and 
eternity ; salvation for body, soul and spirit. Herein is 
manifested the principle of the greatest honor. Was it 
not an honor to have the Son of God come to this 
world? Many a place is sacred as the birthplace of a 
great man— a great reformer, a great poet, a great 
statesman, a great scientist, or a great author. Thou- 
sands go annually to Strat ford-on- Avon because it was 
there Shakespeare was born. Should we not consider 
the world sacred because Christ was born in it? It 
will ever be distinguished as the world in which God 
was manifest in the flesh. 

The World Knew Him Not. This is not as- 
serted of the material world, for this knew him 
by his laws, forces and elements — knew him at once 
and obeyed his voice ; but it is sadly true of the world's 
inhabitants, for they knew him not. Paul declared, 
"The world by wisdom knew not God." In cultured 
Athens was "an altar to the unknown God." What a 
dark page on the world's history ! Many of the Jews 
and Gentiles knew him not, paid no heed to his teach- 
ings, nor his works, nor his character. They knew 
him not, notwithstanding he proved his authorship by 
touching the world's laws and forces and they were 
obedient to his touch. The world of matter knew him, 



310 SOUL SAVING 

but that of intelligence knew him not. What pro- 
found ignorance in the world not to know its Creator, 
Preserver and Redeemer! 

The Second Rejection. "He came to his own 
and his own received him not." He came physic- 
ally, personally and visibly. He came to his own 
— to his own land, the land of Palestine; to his own 
people — the Jewish nation; to his own city — Jerusa- 
lem; to his own temple — the temple of the Lord. He 
came to the world at large, but to the Jews in particu- 
lar. He came to humanity generally, but specially to 
this particular nation. He came to his own — they 
were his own by sovereign choice. He had chosen 
them out of the nations of the earth to be the recipient 
of God's special revelation, the object of God's special 
care. They had entered into a covenant by which 
they were to be his people, to obey and serve him; 
and he was their God to bless and save them. They 
were his own by special promises : the central one was 
the promise of the Messiah and the blessings of His 
Reign. They were his own by special training; they 
had been prepared for ages for his advent; they had 
been fostered by a long and careful training. They 
were trained by special privileges, revelations and pro- 
tection; by an economy of rites and sacrifices, all of 
which pointed to the Messiah's coming. Had he ap- 
peared in any other land than that of Israel he would 
not have come according to the predictions of the 
Book written of him. 

"His Own Received Him Not." This is a 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED SAVIOR 311 

stronger statement than that the world knew him 
not. The Jews were more guilty than the Gentiles 
in the rejection of the Redeemer, because they were 
better prepared to receive him, and only a few re- 
ceived him. The inhabitants of Nazareth thrust him 
out of the city. The Gergasenes besought him to 
depart from their borders. A village of Samaria re- 
fused to admit him. Chorazin and Bethsaida were up- 
braided by him because of their unbelief. Jerusalem 
crucified him. His own rejected him because his hu- 
mility was an offense to their worldliness and pride. 
His holy character was a rebuke to their sins. His 
spiritual teaching was a rebuke to their formality. His 
benevolent life a rebuke to their selfishness. His 
spiritual kingdom a rebuke to their temporal ambi- 
tions. This rejection proved most fatal to them. It 
deprived them of the privleges they despised and 
abused. It was the rejection of an only friend, a de- 
liverer who had come to befriend and save — come for 
the last time to deliver them from spiritual bondage. 
It was a great loss. There was no other to whom 
they could go for salvation. For the world to know 
him not and for his own to receive him not was not 
only the greatest loss ever sustained by the world but 
the greatest blunder ever committed by man. The 
brightest fact in the history of the world is that Christ 
was in it, and the blackest spot in the history of the 
world is that it rejected him. Terrible consequences 
came to the Jewish nation as the result of rejecting 
Him. France, at a dark period of her history, knew 



312 SOUL SAVING 

him not, rejected him; and terrible were the conse- 
quences that came to that nation ; and, notwithstanding 
all of her artistic, musical and literary talent she has 
never been able to overcome that fatal mistake. She 
is still in the throes of infidelity and political up- 
heavals. 

The Savior Accepted. Observe, first, by whom 
the Son of God was gratefully received. This 
chapter tells of Andrew, and Simon, and Philip and 
Nathaniel. Andrew found Jesus, and brought his 
brother Peter; Philip found the Lord and brought 
Nathaniel. We read elsewhere of such people as 
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea receiving him; 
of such families as that of Mary and Martha and 
Lazarus at Bethany. These afford a glimpse into the 
soul history of other individuals and families that re- 
ceived the Savior. Observe what is said of their re- 
ception of Christ. They believed on His Name. His 
name set forth the object of their faith. They believed 
the prophecies which spoke of his coming. They 
believed him to be the Messiah that was to save 
the world. They believed his life was the light 
of men. They believed him to be the Son of 
God. They believed that faith in him and obedi- 
ence to his will would make them members of his 
kingdom. 

Observe the blessing bestowed upon those who re- 
ceive Christ. To them he gives the power to be the 
Sons of God. This is a new spiritual relationship — 
the gift that Christ bestowed upon man; the highest 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED SAVIOR 313 

honor that man can enjoy. And to this exalted priv- 
ilege we call your special attention. 

The "Sons of God." Elsewhere we are told, 
"Now are we the sons of God." Some may question 
about our origin, but it matters little what man was 
in the previous history of physical elements. No mat- 
ter if the first sign of physical life was detected in a 
fungus. No matter if the first forms of physical life 
were ungainly. No matter if our organic life had to 
struggle and struggle up through untold ages until 
there stood forth a comely Adam and a beautiful Eve 
to be the first recipients of human souls. No matter 
in what conditions were our ancestors — whether 
monkeys or monsters, whether wild men of the woods 
or noblemen from heaven. The fact is, "Now are we 
the Sons of God." This is the grandest thing that can 
be said about us. This is said of our spirits, and this 
is as literally true as the fact that we were brought 
forth into the world by our physical fathers and 
mothers. The fact that we are the "Sons of God" 
implies that we are the heirs of God. 

God will give to us the enjoyment of his whole es- 
tate. Shall He not share with his own? If you 
were the king of a kingdom and your children were 
living in huts for a few years for good reasons known 
to you, would you not be delighted to visit them, 
mingle with them, dine with them, and sojourn with 
them in their lowly estate? Heirs of God! No man 
can comprehend its depth of meaning. God created 
man in His own image, and then, by adoption, calls 



314 SOUL SAVING 

him son. As you trace in your physical bodies re- 
semblances to your earthly parents, so you may trace 
in your spiritual likenesses the image of the Father of 
your spirits. If God has a throne, we are heirs to it. If 
He has joys, we are heirs to them. If He has ineffable 
glory, we are heirs to that glory. If He has mansions 
beyond the skies, we are heirs to those mansions. 
If He has an eternity of love we are heirs to that. 
Sons of God! What possibilties are before us. All 
history and science declare that the human race is in 
its infancy; but as sons of God and heirs of eternal 
life, man will be in his infancy when myriads of ages 
shall have passed away. Being now a son of God, 
what shall be the progress of man in the future? 
Man has already made great progress, but what of the 
future? With our relationship to God, with our basis 
of immortality, with our boundless faculties, with our 
earthly experiences, with the help of eternity, with 
space for our activities, with the throne of God for 
our light, with perfection for our attribute, with eter- 
nity for our day, to what may we not attain? We 
shall not cease to be the "sons of God" but who can 
tell what "sons of God" may come to be. "Beloved, 
now are we the sons of God, for it doth not yet appear 
what we shall be, but we know that we shall be like 
him for we shall see him as he is." 

"We shall be." Troubles may bear heavy upon 
our souls; misunderstandings may come between us; 
enemies may wish us out of sight, but we shall be. 
The sods of the earth may close over us, the grave 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED SAVIOR 315 

may swallow us, and ages seem to engulf us, but we 
shall be. Our memories may perish from the minds 
of men; the doors of our establishments may be closed 
forever, but we shall be. The fashions of the world 
may change ; the earth is growing old with age, and 
may sometime drop into the chasms of the universe, 
but we shall be. New-born worlds may rise and reign 
in rays of glory, but we shall be. God's magnificent 
stellar systems may have the cogs of their wheels 
broken from the friction of long work, and the great 
orbs of the universe may tire as they sweep through 
the cycles of ages, and be folded up as a napkin, but 
we shall be. The angel of the Lord may descend to 
the earth, and with one foot on the land and one 
foot upon the sea, and with uplifted hand, declare that 
time shall be no more, and latitude and longitude may 
be lost on the shoreless sea of eternity, but as the sons 
of God, we shall be. 

"We shall be." I emphasize "we." We have en- 
tered upon an existence that knows no termination. 
We are endowed with immortality, and have already 
begun out eternity. We who now live, and move, 
and have our being upon the earth; we, men and 
women and children, who this day are worshipping 
God, shall be. We shall be either enjoying the joys 
of heaven or suffering the agonies of hell. That we 
shall be is clearly revealed, but what we shall be is to 
some extent concealed, but this is all to our advantage. 

Suppose that you who have attained success in busi- 
ness, had been enabled as youths to have pierced the 



316 SOUL SAVING 

future of your lives, beheld the advances along the road, 
witnessed your struggles and known the sum-total of 
your success, would not your life have been common- 
place and the march along the way been devoid of 
charm? If you men of intellectual power had known, 
when young men, just what you would have been 
when your fame was full, would it not have detracted 
from the spring of your intellectual aims and ambi- 
tions? The beauty of that mysterious future and joy 
of attainment which is always just ahead gives charm 
to our spiritual life. We are now the sons of God, 
but it doth not yet appear what we shall be, though 
the future is indescribably beautiful — beautiful 
enough to make noon burst upon noon and wing rise 
above wing; beautiful enough to make each great 
achievement the precursor of a greater achievement; 
each happy moment the predecessor of a happier mo- 
ment, and each joyful association the anticipation of 
a more joyful association; yet it doth not appear to 
what we shall attain. God's Alps will be Alps ascend- 
ed, and from each higher peak we shall see light be- 
yond, and looking back to our brethren we can pro- 
claim: "It doth not yet appear"; "It doth not yet 
appear." But we know that we shall be like him — 
like him in glory and in holiness; like him in loving 
character; like him in spiritual ardor. I once heard 
a dying Christian declare that the thought that filled 
his soul with rapture was that he should soon be like 
his Lord. When earthly love grows powerless to sus- 
tain, what is it that comforts the dying man — the 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED SAVIOR 317 

goodly mansions with streets of gold by crystal 
streams ; the trees that bare twelve manner of fruits ; 
the thrones of ivory; the crowns of diadems; the 
scepters of gold ; the robes of celestial whiteness ? No, 
for these splendors are all external. But that which 
fills the dying soul with rapture is the hope of being 
like his Lord with all the deformities and effects of 
his sins taken away; the hope that he shall be trans- 
formed into the likeness of his Father; that he shall 
live in holiness with God ; that he shall see Him as He 
is ; that he shall be like him when he shall see him face 
to face. How we long to behold the absent ones, those 
who have crossed over the river that rolls between 
us and the shores of light; those who have gone out 
from our midst upon whom our affections were cen- 
tered ; those who have gone up to be like Jesus. When 
we think of them in our sober moments how intense 
our longings to behold them once more ; to behold the 
faces of our fathers and our mothers, of our beloved 
companions, of our sons and daughters. And may 
not this be a part of that joy in heaven — this blessed 
reunion of friends? But in the midst of these joys 
there will be another and a deeper joy. "Whom have 
I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon the 
earth that I desire but Thee." Some time and some 
how we shall see him. It will be a vision of faith 
bright and shining. He will communicate to us his 
ideas, his principles, his character, his heart of love. 
He will show us his glory. Then, comfort to those 
eyes filled with weeping! Sight to those eyes that 



318 SOUL SAVING 

have been blind from birth! Ye shall see the King 
in his beauty and the land that is afar off. Ye shall 
behold a city — a city not made by the hands of men. 
As Moses on the Mount did catch from God's face a 
brightness that planted itself upon the prophet's coun- 
tenance, with its luminous splendor, long after he had 
descended from the Mount to be with his friends, so 
we shall behold Jesus, and we shall be like him, we 
shall be changed into a better and increasing likeness 
of our Lord. As dull planets turn their faces to the 
sun to borrow light, so the sons of God turn their 
faces to Jesus to catch the glow of his sunshine of love. 
As he appeared upon the Mount of Transfiguration in 
an illumined atmosphere, with a shining face and with 
white garment, so he will transform our vile bodies 
and fashion them like unto his glorified body. We 
are now sons of God. We have not yet attained our 
majority. We are sons of God on earth, but we shall 
soon be sons of God in heaven. We now know one an- 
other as sons of God where there is sin, and sor- 
row, and misunderstandings, and separation, and 
death, but we shall soon know one another as 
sons of God where sin shall not enter, where 
sorrow shall not come, where the inhabitant shall not 
say, "I am sick," and where death is no more. We 
now know one another as the sons of God where we 
are struggling for more light, for we see through a 
glass darkly, but we shall soon know one another as 
sons of God where the clouds that have dimmed our 
earthly horizon shall be rolled away and we shall see 



THE REJECTED AND ACCEPTED SAVIOR 319 

with the effulgent light of heaven. We now know 
one another as the sons of God where we are buffeted 
by Satan, but we shall soon know one another as the 
sons of God where Satan hath no dominion, where 
flesh and blood shall not enter, where God reigns su- 
preme and the spirits of just men are made perfect. 
We now know one another as the sons of God, 
though we may be disguised as farmers, merchants, 
lawyers, physicians, students, mechanics, preachers — 
poor and unknown, toiling in shops for bread, living 
in lonely palaces, dying unnoticed, but, bye and bye, 
we shall ascend to the lofty palaces of eternity where 
we shall be recognized in our true capacity, where 
God's honor, glory, and everlasting joy shall be ours. 
And while this is comforting to the Christian, let those 
who are not in Christ hasten to accept this King who 
came into the world that they may be called his sons 
and inherit his glory. Oh, he is a King immortal, 
eternal. Where is Louis XIV.? Dead! Where is 
Richard III. ? Dead ! Where is Peter the Great ? Dead ! 
Where is Napoleon ? Dead ! Death sits in the palace of 
the potentates of the earth, but King Emanuel lives as 
an Immortal King, as a living, personal, present, loving 
Savior. Oh, will you not accept him who is the Res- 
urrection and the Life that you may live and reign 
with him forevermore? Accept him, so that when 
he shall appear, you shall be like him; for you shall 
see him as he is. 



RINGING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN 

"And the Spirit and the Bride say Come. And let him 
that heareth say Come. And let him that is athirst 
come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of 
life freely."— Rev. 22:17. 

These precious invitations sound like a chime of 
bells from heaven. Christ says "Come." The Spirit 
says "Come." The Church says "Come." Let him 
that heareth catch up the sound and say "Come." Let 
the thirsty come, and whosoever will, let him come. 

It is claimed that every perfect bell has a clear note 
and the manufacturer can name the note as soon as 
he hears the bell ring. The clear, full, resonant note 
of the Bible is "Come." It occurs hundreds of times 
in the Scriptures. More than five thousand years ago 
God rang out an invitation to Noah and his household 
to come into the ark. Thence down the ages God 
rings the bell of "Come," like a tocsin, inviting the 
wanderer to return, the weary to rest, and the lost 
to salvation. Five and twenty centuries ago it sounded 
in sweet accents from the lips of the venerable Isaiah, 
when he said, "Ho, every one that thristeth! Come, 
yea come!" "Come now, and let us reason together, 
saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they 
shall be as white as snow ; though they be red like 



322 SOUL SAVING 

crimson, they shall be as wool." The bells are ringing 
today ; we hear them. The Spirit says "Come." The 
Church says, "Come." Today we ring this chime of 
bells and beckon you to come. Some of the bells 
in the great cathedrals of Europe ring only on great 
occasions, but the bells of heaven are ringing all the 
time. Night and day they never cease. We are never 
weary with their chime for they bring us joy, hope, 
and peace. 

Christianity is the only religion that says, "Come." 
Go, search through all other religions, ancient and 
modern, and see if you can find "Come." Go and 
listen, and see if you can hear the sweet and beautiful 
chime of "Come." 

Begin with the religion of Egypt — the oldest of all. 
Study carefully all that is gleaned from the "Book of 
the Dead." You may learn about their rules of right 
living, their faith in immortality, but "Come" it does 
not contain ; hence, their offering tears upon the altars 
of their gods, their religion of despair, their future, a 
land of slumber and darkness. 

Study the religion of the Greeks, who were, as 
Paul said, exceedingly devout. Zeus was their su- 
preme Deity. His attributes were the eagle, the thun- 
derbolt and scepter. His eyes flashed lightning and 
with his thunderbolt he hurled his foes down the 
mountain side ; but he never said "Come." Study 
the lives and writings of the old Grecian philosophers : 
Plato, who founded the academy; Epicurus, who left 
to posterity the strange maxim, "Let us eat and drink, 



RINGING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN 323 

for tomorrow we die ;" Zeno, who founded the School 
of the Stoics; Diogenes, who founded a philosophy 
steeped in gall; Aristotle, who taught the inductive 
method of reasoning; and Socrates, the noblest of 
them all, with the fatal hemlock at his lips, hoping 
for immortality, never said "Come ;" they never in- 
vited men to a Savior of pardon and love. 

Study the religion of ancient Rome. Did Jupiter, 
their great god, ever say "Come?" He was a foe to 
humanity rather than a blessing. He was jealous 
of human happiness, not a promoter of it. 

Study modern Brahmanism, and see if you can find 
where men and women are invited to put off the 
earthly and put on the heavenly, to come to a higher 
and better state. You may learn of the fabled Brahm 
issuing from the primeval egg and creating from his 
head the Brahmans; from his breast the soldiers; 
from his loins the merchants ; and from his feet the 
laboring classes. And thus came the iron-clad sys- 
tem of caste that has prevailed for more than thirty 
centuries and has cursed India with a thousand 
curses. 

The god of Buddhists is far away from the struggles 
of humanity. He is impersonal and inactive — without 
eyes to see, arms to save and heart to pity. He gives 
no invitation. His worshipers want no invitation to 
come to him, for they only fear him. 

Confucianism, with all its veneration for learning, 
reverence for the past and worship of ancestors, gives 
no invitation to come to a great salvation. It has 



324 SOUL SAVING 

made a race of plodding materialists heedless of eter- 
nity. 

Mohammedanism, founded by Mohammed the 
prophet, the canal driver of Mecca, has come down 
the ages brandishing a sword crimson with blood, with 
the harem on one side, and the Bedouin slave driver 
on the other. It has written its history in war, polyga- 
my, slavery and destitution. It does not invite the 
weary, heavy laden, and suffering, to come to a 
Savior of peace and pardon. I do not say that there 
is no good in these religions, but it is like unto only 
a trace of gold in the quartz — it is not found in paying 
quantities ; it does not pay to separate it from the dross. 

You may continue the search through the whole 
catalogue of religions, past and present, and only in 
Christianity will you find a God who invites men to 
come to him and be saved and blessed. Herein Chris- 
tianity differs from all other religions. Herein is the 
pre-eminence of Christ. Herein our God is shown 
to be above all other Gods. 

They not only have no "Come," but no sal- 
vation, no deliverance from sin and its conse- 
quences; no future punishment for the wicked; no 
way of escape from the wrath to come made known 
in unmistakable terms ; no heaven for the faithful ; no 
door of entrance revealed unto man by which he may 
enter into the gates into that city about which so many 
beautiful things are spoken. 

The first "Come" of Christianity is the coming of 
Christ. When a prince was born in Moscow three 



RINGING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN 325 

hundred bells rang out the glad news. When Christ 
came the angels rang the bells of heaven and sang the 
sweetest song ever sung on earth; "Glory to God 
in the highest; peace on earth and good-will to men." 
Men were lost in their wisdom and knowledge, in their 
sins and iniquities and Christ came to save them. 
That was Christ's mission and he has fulfilled it. An 
Emperor of Japan gave an order to a bell-maker to 
cast a bell that could be heard from the factory to the 
palace. He cast one bell and another, but the Emperor 
listened in vain. An oracle was consulted that de- 
clared the metal would have to be saturated with the 
blood of a human being, and when the daughter of 
the bell-maker heard the sad news, she threw herself 
into the caldron of molten metal, and when the bell 
rang, the Emperor heard the sound in his far-away 
palace and declared it the sweetest music he had ever 
heard. So Jesus Christ came and sprinkled his blood 
over the sinner's heart that he might be saved; and 
the Father saw and heard from heaven and was well- 
pleased with the salvation wrought by his own beloved 
son. 

Christ came from the glory he had with the Father 
before the world was. He came from the throne be- 
yond the skies. He came from the worship of the 
angelic hosts of heaven. He came voluntarily. He 
came in all humility. No stately palace received him, 
no princely couch sustained his infant head, no na- 
tional feast hailed his coming. He loved man and 
came to save him. He came to seek and to save the 



326 SOUL SAVING 

lost. "Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all ac- 
ceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to 
save sinners." Says Christ, "I come that ye might 
have life, and have it more abundantly." "The Son 
of Man is not come to destroy, but to save." "I am 
come a Light into the world." 

, When Christ came he rang anew the heavenly 
chimes, and he rang them again and again. The tone 
of one bell, well tuned, is sweet, but when a dozen or 
more are harmoniously tuned and skillfully rung, in a 
grand chime, then the music sounds out in one grand 
chorus almost celestial. No one having heard the 
sweet Carillon chorus of Amsterdam, Copenhagen, 
Worchester, Lincolnshire and Bradford will ever for- 
get them. No one hearing the sweet chime of bells 
rung by our Lord and Master will ever forget them. 
Hear the glad news, "Come and see." "Come, for all 
things are now ready. If any man thirst, let him come 
things are now ready." "If any man thirst, let him 
come unto me and drink." "Come unto me, all ye that 
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 
"Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." 
Christian people, listen, and see if you cannot hear 
one of the bells that Christ is ringing especially for 
you. "If any man will come after me, let him take 
up his cross, deny himself, and follow me." Jesus is 
our leader. He stands in the forefront of the battle. 
He calls us to follow after him. Have we not often 
been so heartless, indifferent and negligent as to be 
ashamed to look into our Captain's face? Consider- 



RINGING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN 327 

ing our weakness, it is a wonder that we have won a 
single battle. Considering the vast number of fighting 
men and women in the army of the Lord one would 
think Satan and his allies would long ago have been 
defeated, the strongholds of wickedness torn down, 
and every city of sin destroyed, and the whole field 
captured for our Lord and Savior; but alas! many 
of those well able to fight have never seen the firing 
line; many of them have never looked into the face 
of the enemy. Many of them have bcome stragglers 
from camp; many of them have become deserters 
from the army. What will be the answer when our 
general comes to call the roll, to make up his jewels, 
and we have to answer for our stewardship? I fear 
many will be cast out as unworthy soldiers and have 
no place with those who have fought for our captain, 
and helped win the victory. But our hearts should be 
made glad when we see the number in the army in- 
creasing so rapidly — more new recruits joining the 
rank and file, than deserters from the post of duty. 
We hear good reports coming from every direction 
of multitudes turning away from Satan to Christ 
and putting on the whole armor of God that they may 
be able to fight against flesh and blood, and spiritual 
wickedness in high places. When Nelson arranged 
the English navy in battle line to meet the combined 
Spanish and French navies, he stood on the flagship 
with the standard of Great Britain unfurled, and cried 
out: "England this day expects every man to do his 
duty." And so, the Captain of our salvation stands 



328 SOUL SAVING 

on the bridge of the ship of Zion, and gives command 
all along the line for every soldier and seaman to do 
his duty. He leads into the thickest of the battle; 
follow after him. During one of the hottest-con- 
tested battles in the history of our country, when 
patriots were falling back step by step, notwithstand- 
ing the shouts of captains and colonels, "to face about 
and bear down upon the foe," the retreat had fully 
set in when the general came galloping down the line, 
brandishing his sword, and shouting, "Come, boys, fol- 
low me," at once, the men rallied, every retreating step 
was gained; new courage was instilled into the hearts 
of all the soldiers; they followed the general into the 
battle and on to victory. So, Jesus Christ leads; he is 
calling you to come. Hear the call: "Come after 
me." "Come over into Macedonia and help us." 
"Come up to the help of the Lord and the mighty." 
Come, for souls are perishing. Come, for the fields 
are white unto the harvest. Will you not put on the 
armor and follow after him? He may lead you by 
the side of still waters, into the midst of green pas- 
tures, along flowery paths of joy and prosperity, or it 
may be into a battle against sin and Satan, or with 
temptation and difficulty, or into the darkened valley 
of sorrow, or into the valley of the shadow of death. 
But, if you will follow after him he will finally lead 
you. across the river, and through the gates, into the 
mansions of God. 

Christian people should learn to ring the bells of 
heaven. In times past they were rung by prophets, 



RINGING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN 329 

apostles, martyrs, evangelists, and the redeemed in 
Christ. The apostles rang these bells over Syrian 
deserts, Judean mountains and plains, over stormy 
seas, in pestilential climes, in prison cells, amid hunger 
and thirst, and persecution. Martyrs rang these bells 
amidst blazing fagots, upon the ignominious cross, and 
amongst the wild beasts in the arena. Such men as 
Brainard and Elliott, Whitefield and Wesley, Knox 
and Luther, Moffett and Stanley, have in seraph tones 
sounded out the "Comes" of Christ. "Let the Bride 
say 'Come/ The whole church should join in one 
colossal concert, and say 'Come.' Are there children 
in the church? Let their voices ring out in a sweet 
and harmonious tintinnabulation of 'Come/ Are there 
young men and women? Let their voices join in the 
eternal harmony of 'Come.' Are there strong men and 
women? Let them stand forth in the light and prime 
of life and give the invitation to 'Come.' Are there 
aged men and women in the Master's service? Let 
them declare what great things the Lord hath done for 
them, and persuade men to 'Come.' Let the healed 
say 'Come.' Let the pardoned say 'Come.' Let all 
who have been lifted up from the lowest depths 
of sin say 'Come.' Let all who have had their thirst 
quenched by the waters of life say 'Come.' Not 
one voice is to be mute; all are to ring the bells of 
heaven; all are to sound out the glorious invitations, 
'Come,' 'come,' come.' Jesus is the leader of this 
mighty choir. He has hung aloft this magnificent 
peal of bells, and he would have us fill the whole 



/ 



330 SOUL SAVING 

earth with the chimes and harmonies of 'Come/ 
'come/ come/ " 

Some of the greatest bells of earth, like the one at 
Moscow, that weighs four hundred and forty thousand 
pounds, and the old Independence bell of America 
that rang to proclaim liberty to all the world, are 
broken ; but the bells of heaven will never break, crack, 
or wear out from their much usage; but rather will 
their music become sweeter the longer and oftener 
they are rung. 

y You will not ring the bells of heaven in vain. The 
bells of earth are rung for various purposes: to call 
soldiers to arms, citizens to the Senate, and Christians 
to the church; they have sounded out the alarm of 
fire and tumult; they have been rung to scare away 
evil spirits ; they have been rung as a sign to massacre 
the believers in Christ; they have been rung to wel- 
come in the New Year; to announce the victories of 
armies and navies, to extinguish the lights of cities, 
to remind the children of the Curfew Law, and to 
toll out the sad news of death. At the news of Nel- 
son's death and triumph at Trafalgar, the bells of 
Chester rang a merry peal, alternated with one deep 
toll, thus signaling the victory and at the same time 
mourning the loss of the mighty conqueror. 

But the bells of heaven are rung for a greater pur- 
pose — to invite men to come to Christ for pardon, 
peace and eternal life. Yes, to the Savior, for he is 
the only one to whom men are to come for salvation. 
He is the Water of Life. He is the Way, the Life, 



RINGING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN 331 

and the Truth. No man cometh unto the Father 
save by him. For whom are the bells of heaven rung? 
To those who thirst. Some thirst, and do not know 
for what. It is a thirst for peace that cometh through 
Christ — the thirst for the immortality that Christ hath 
brought to light through his Gospel. Blessed be his 
name, "Whosoever will may come." This invitation 
includes all. Whosoever is far away on the moun- 
tains of sin may come; whosoever is subjected to 
fearful temptations may come; whosoever has long 
delayed his soul salvation may come. Old and young 
may come; rich and poor may come; learned and 
ignorant may come. The morally good, and the mor- 
ally bad may come; those who are far from the king- 
dom, and those who are near the kingdom, may come. 
Those only are kept out who refuse to accept the in- 
vitation; those only miss the blessing who refuse' to 
hear the ringing of the bells of heaven. All are in- 
vited to come in faith, repentance, and obedience. 
Your coming will not only bring joy to your own 
heart, but will give joy to your friends to know you 
have come to Christ, and will make joy in the presence 
of the angels of God because of your repentance ; yes, 
over your coming, the bells of heaven will ring; 
Christ, the Chief Shepherd, will rejoice; the angels of 
God will rejoice; the redeemed in Paradise will re- 
joice. Great will be this joy and rejoicing because 
God's image has been recovered in the heart, your 
character has been changed, you have been saved from 
sin and its consequences, and you are in the way of 



332 SOUL SAVING 

eternal life. Oh people! the bells of heaven are 
ringing today. Hear them ! Hear them ! "The Spirit 
and the Bride say Come. Let him that heareth say 
Come. Let him that is athirst, Come, and whosoever 
will, let him take of the water of life freely." Hear 
them, and heed them, and bye-and-bye you will hear 
another bell of heaven, "Behold, the Bridegroom 
cometh" ; "I will come and receive you unto myself" ; 
"Come up higher." And when your immortal spirit 
quits the mortal body will not the ringing of these 
bells of heaven be sweet music to you ? 

When the faithful come from the East and the 
West, the North and the South, to sit down in the 
Father's throne, will it not be a joy unspeakable and 
full of glory to be with them and to hear the ringing 
of the Resurrection bell for the righteous ; "Come, ye 
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 
for you from the foundation of the world." God 
grant that you may be robed, and ready to say, "Even 
so come, Lord Jesus. Amen." 



DEC 26 ISO 1 ? 



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